ACTIVITY RHYTHM IN THE GARDEN SLUG LAEVICAULIS ALTE (FERUSSAC) IN RELATION TO WEATHERA. PanigrahiAbstract Studies on activity rhythm in the garden slug Laevicaulis eke (Ferussac) revealed a clear cut relationship with weather conditions. The nocturnal L. cite spent daytime under protective covers. They are moisture loving creatures and found most active in monsoon. The time of daily emergence and the duration of active period varied with the seasons. These variations were due to fluctuations in temperature, humidity (RH) and rainfall ranges, both in the soil and air. Under favourable humid conditions, the activity was inhibited during winter nights when the atmospheric temperature fell below I OC. They entered into 'aestivation home' with the onset of dry season and spent the hazardous period, usually 6 months (November-April) there. They became active for a short period from their seasonal diapause following occasional shower. It is sure that weather conditions play important roles on the physiological factors for this sort of rhythmic activity in the slug L alte. The observations on a garden slug species (L cite), a registered agrihorticultural pest in India are being reported here for the first time.
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