Plant Protection and Alert April 2011

Giant African : A Foreign Threat to U.S Agriculture

Background Description/Life Cycle

“Giant African ” is the Reaching almost 8 inches common name used to describe (20 cm) in length and 5 inches several foreign snail (13 cm) in maximum diameter, that could become serious L. fulica is one of the world’s agricultural pests in the United largest land snails—about the States. The giant African snail size of an average adult fist. ( fulica, formerly Figure 1. A mature maneu- When fully grown, the shell of vers in its environment. fulica), the giant L. fulica consists of seven to tiger snail (), nine whorls, with a long and and the banana rasp snail greatly swollen body whorl. The ( marginata) are brownish shell with darker brown large, terrestrial snails native to lengthwise stripes covers at Africa. least half the length of the snail. Each snail contains both The Giant African Snail female and male reproductive organs. After a single mating, Scientists consider Lissachatina each snail can produce 100 to fulica to be one of the most 500 eggs. These snails can damaging land snails in the reproduce several more times world. It is known to eat at least without mating again. They can 500 different types of plants, generate clutches of eggs every including peanuts, beans, peas, 2 to 3 months. cucumbers, and melons. If fruits Although this species thrives and vegetables are not available, Figure 2. A penny is used to show the size of in tropical and subtropical areas, giant African snail eggs. the snails will eat a wide variety it can survive in cold conditions. of ornamental plants, tree bark, In winter in the Northern United and even paint and stucco on In 1966, a Miami, FL, boy States, the snail would become houses. smuggled three giant African slow and sluggish, almost L. fulica is established snails into South Florida upon hibernating until warmer weather throughout the Indo–Pacific returning from a trip to Hawaii. returns. basin, including the Hawaiian His grandmother eventually islands. This mollusk has also released the snails into her Distribution been introduced to several garden. Seven years later, more Caribbean islands. Giant African than 18,000 adult snails were Like other invasive pests and snails reached the island of found, along with thousands of diseases, giant African snails Martinique in 1987 and spread eggs. It took 10 years and cost could enter the United States as throughout the islands of Basse- $1 million to eradicate the pest hitchhikers on imported cargo. Terre and Grande-Terre in in Florida. However, there have been recent Guadeloupe by 1989. They were reports of these snails being discovered in St. Martins and illegally imported by individuals Marie-Galante in 1995. By 2000, for classroom exhibits, as pets, L. fulica infestations had also or for food. been detected on Saint Lucia and Barbados. Additional Information

For more information on giant African snails, visit the APHIS Web site at www.aphis.usda. gov/plant_health/plant_pest_ info/gas/index.shtml.

Photo credits: All images were taken by APHIS malacologist David G. Robinson.

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United States Department of Agriculture Figure 3. Giant African snail infestation on the Figure 4. Shell of an immature giant and Plant Health Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. African snail. Inspection Service APHIS 81-35-009 Damage Control Issued July 2004 Slightly revised April 2011 Giant African snails cause Because several species of extensive damage to plants this snail family are capable in tropical and subtropical of becoming agricultural agricultural systems as well pests, they are illegal in the as the environment. These United States. If you have snails are also known to carry a giant African snail, do not organisms that can cause release it into the environment diseases in humans. These or give it away. Instead, organisms can be transferred immediately report it to your by ingesting improperly cooked State department of agriculture snail meat or by handling live or to the U.S. Department of snails and allowing their mucus Agriculture (USDA), Animal and to contact human mucous Plant Health Inspection Service membranes such as those in the (APHIS) office in your State. eyes, nose, and mouth. For a list of APHIS offices, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/services/ report_pest_disease/report_ pest_disease.shtml.