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Click here to go back Details of this species in Philippines Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Established Source: Cowie, Dr. R. Arrival Date: 1980s Introduction: Intentional Species Notes for this Location: The golden apple snail, popularly known as golden kuhol or miracle snail in the Philippines, is an introduced aquatic gastropod from South America. It is presently considered as a rice pest of national importance. The illegal introduction of the golden apple snail took place in the 1980s through the aquarium trade. It was initially introduced by the private sector as an aquaculture species, particularly as a cheap source of protein. Later, it found its way to waterways and ricefields. In 1995, the reported damage of golden apple snails in rice farming was estimated in more than 800,000 hectares all over the country. Estimated rice yield loss from golden apple snail infestation from 1985 to 1991 in the Philippines increased along with expanding infestation. Instead of becoming a boom to food production it became a bane in rice farming (Arsenia et al., 2001). Management Notes for this Location: In the Philippines, research on various subjects, particularly on its control in rice farming (see Management options for the Golden Apple Snail), has been conducted (Arsenia et al., 2001). Location Notes: Impacts: Competition: Possibly competes with native freshwater snail species. Herbivory: Voracious macrophyophagous herbivore. Feeds on many crops, probably also natural vegetation. Last Modified: 1/08/2004 4:15:58 p.m.