SURVEY AND POPULATION DYNAMIC OF TERRESTRIAL GASTROPODS INFESTING CERTAIN CROPS AT SHARKIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT.

This study was carried out on certain places at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt to survey the most common terrestrial gastropods infesting vegetable and field crops. Results revealed that most crops highly infested with Monacha cartusiana snails, while Succinea putris and Deroceras laeve had moderately to low infestation. As in the case of Monacha cantiana, it was recorded for the first time on Sharkia Governorate. Regarding population dynamics Egyptian clover harbored the highest numbers of snails, followed by wheat and sugar beet during February, March and April. Inconstant relationship were found between population dynamics and both temperature and relative humidity.