Using light and electron microscopy in combination with histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques, the impact of orally and dermally applied metaldehyde on mucus cells in the digestive tract, the skin, and the salivary gland of the slug Deroceras reticulatum (Mtiller) was investigated. The studies showed that metaldehyde induces severe alterations and damages in mucocytes even under low temperature and humid conditions when sufficiently high doses were applied. After metaldehyde

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... n, not only the quantity of mucus produced by slugs but also its quality is modified. Structural, enzymehistochemical and immunocytochemical investigations revealed metaldehyde-induced effects in mucocytes to be related to influences of the molluscicide on serotonin and on energy metabolism.