Citizen Scientist Project Testing

Here is a citizen scientist project testing which species of mushrooms the European black slug prefers: Psilocybe cyanescens, the Wavy Cap, a potent psilocybin active species or the edible Stropharia rugoso-annulata, the Garden Giant. This choice test clearly shows the slugs’ preference. Could psilocybin confer a defense against slugs? Many psilocybin mushrooms host insect larvae. Flies are stimulated by spore release. It would make sense that mushrooms partner better with flying insects to spread their spores than to earthbound slugs that devour the mushrooms during sporulation.

We would love to see your Citizen Scientist choice tests.

Filming by Pamela Kryskow