Giant Spanish slugs that invaded Britain are mating with native ones to create a mutant superslug capable of wreaking crop havoc.
They are also threatening to wipe out local species with new diseases and parasites or by simply devouring them.
The Spanish slug, that can grow up to 15cm long, is thought to have arrived in salads during the summer – and has already spread as far west as Wales.
Slug expert Les Noble, of Aberdeen University, warned yesterday the creatures produce hundreds more eggs than the typical British slug and pose a serious problem.
He said: “These slugs are like conquistadors were to the Aztecs. Native slugs can’t keep pace and may become extinct.
“They are simply being overrun and when you consider the Spanish slug will happily make a meal out of a dead rabbit as much as out of dog muck you can see why they are so successful.
“We have already seen when these slugs move into an area the native slugs vanish almost immediately. They can wipe out whole crops and prevent them growing there again.”
Sylvia Locke, 72, from the Amman Valley in Wales, has seen several in her garden. She said: “We caught them eating snails. It was gruesome.
“Our dog caught one, it was so big I thought it was a mouse.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/giant-spanish-slugs-invade-britain-1323166
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