Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Giant African snail (050)

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Photo 1. Giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica, in this case the shell is brown with light brown stripes.

Photo 2. Giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica, sheltering under a rock by day to prevent dehydration.

Photo 3. Giant African snails, Lissachatina fulica, on banana.

Photo 4. Eggs of the giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica.

Photo 5. Excreta of the giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica.

Summary

• Worldwide distribution. GAS eats many vegetables, ornamentals and tree crops. An important pest.
• Feeds at night; by day, under stones, logs, and leaves.
• Eggs laid in batches (200-300) under soil and on logs.
• Spreads on slime from “foot”; long-distance spread by humans: eggs in pot plants, sawdust, vehicles, shipping containers, moved as pets. Carries the rat lung worm.
• Natural enemies: avoid predatory snails, flatworms, (a threat to local fauna); use Indian runner ducks.
• Cultural control: bare earth or sand, 1.5 m wide around plots; collect, boil 1h, feed to pigs; ducks; awareness programs.
• Chemical control: metaldehyde and methiocarb not recommended due to human and environmental concern

Common Name

Giant African snail

Scientific Name

Lissachatina fulica, previously known as Achatina fulica

This mini fact sheet is a part of the app Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

The mobile application is available from the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes.