Invasive Apple Snails (Ampullariidae): Threats and Management

Abstract

Alien invasive Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck and Pomacea maculata Perry were introduced from their native habitats of South America in various regions of the world for variable purposes. However, they were discarded in wild either because of mismanagement or failed to achieve desired goals and became well established in the introduced countries because of their invasive characteristics. Once established, they pose great threats to natural wetlands, macrophytes, agricultural crops (particularly rice and taro), other vertebrates such as worms, insects, crustaceans and snails, water quality of ponds and streams, as well as vectors important human and animal diseases. Billions of dollars have been lost either because of direct losses of Pomacea spp. or cost incurred on their management. Therefore, various control methods such as cultural, mechanical, and biological have been used to restrict the spread and population of these snails, but none of them get the desired results. Hence, chemical control is considered as the most reliable and quick method to manage their population. However, use of molluscicides such as fentin acetate, a banned but widely used pesticide, has created alarming threats to humans and environment. But, recently, botanical molluscicides and their derivatives has shown promising effectiveness against Pomacea spp. Therefore, a comprehensive overview of potential threats of invasive Pomacea spp. and their management options is given here that could help growers and policy makers to restrict the spread and losses of these snails.