Aquatic Invasive Species Faucet Snail Bithynia tentaculata ______

What is the faucet snail? and have difficulty diving and flying before The faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) eventually dying. is an aquatic snail native to Europe, There is no evidence that other wildlife besides introduced to the Great Lakes in the waterfowl, including any fish species, are adversely 1870s, probably unintentionally with affected by the parasites present in faucet snails. the solid ballast used in large timber Anglers can eat fish from Lake Winnibigoshish transport ships or perhaps with without worry of the parasite. Faucet snails are vegetation used in packing crates. not known to be co-hosts for the swimmers How to identify it itch fluke. Faucet snails are difficult for non-specialists to identify as native snail species or young nonnative Where are faucet snails in Minnesota? mystery snails could look similar to faucet snails. In Hubbard & Wadena counties: Upper & Lower Adult faucet snails can grow up to 1/2 inch in Twin Lakes, 1st & 2nd Crow Wing Lakes, Shell River, length, but usually smaller. Color is brown to Crow Wing River from Hwy. 87 in Hubbard County, black, with 4 to 5 whorls and a cover on the south to the confluence with the Mississippi R. shell opening (see photo below). The shell In Cass & Itasca counties: Lake Winnibigoshish & opening is on the right when the shell pointed up connected waters, Leech L. River-downstream from (see drawing above). Mud Lake. In Becker county: several unnamed leech trapping ponds

How do they spread? They can spread by attaching to aquatic plants, boats, anchors, decoy anchors, other recreational gear and equipment placed in the water. Some movement by waterbirds may also spread this invasive to new waters. Faucet snails can survive out of water for several days so precautions should be taken when transporting boats and equipment from infested waters.

Preventing further spread Boaters and others should do the following to help prevent the spread for faucet snails. • Inspect for and remove aquatic plants, animals, Specimens of suspected snails should be submitted to the and mud from boats and equipment before DNR Invasive species Program for identification. transporting from one waterbody to another. • Preferably, spray with high–pressure hot (120 F) Why are they a problem? water for a couple minutes to kill snails that may not Faucet snails are hosts to three parasitic flukes have been visible. (Sphaeridiotrema globulus, Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Leyogonimus polyoon), that have contributed to If you think you may have found a faucet the deaths of about 9,000 scaup and coots in snail or wish to have it identified, contact: the past two years on Lake Winnibigoshish. Waterfowl also have died along the Mississippi River Doug Kingsley, MN DNR Fisheries Supervisor, Park at Lake Onalaska near Lacrosse, WI due to these Rapids, MN; (218) 732-4153 parasites in faucet snails. The parasites require E-mail: [email protected] two intermediate hosts, such as the faucet or snail to develop. When waterfowl consume the MN DNR Invasive Species Specialist @ Itasca State infected snails, the adult parasites attack Park, 27841 Forest Lane; Park Rapids, MN 56470 internal organs and cause lesions and (218) 699-7293 hemorrhage. Infected birds appear lethargic Hubbard COLA-2014 ______