Details of this species in Anguilla Status: Alien
Invasiveness: Invasive
Occurrence: Established
Source: Connor 2007 Arrival Date: 2000?
Introduction: Species Notes for this Location:
Achatina fulica which are prevalent in the Stoney Ground area, are now spreading to other locations on the island (Connor 2007). Management Notes for this Location:
A Government control campaign was launched by the Agriculture Department with the price of molluscicides (methaldehyde bait) subsidised (Connor 2007). Workers from the Agricultural Department set baits for A. fulica.The following actions have been proposed: mechanical picking of snails, public awareness campaigns and education, establish a task force to coordinate eradication, establish legal rights for task force workers to enter property, improve quarantine of plants and other imports, develop detailed budgets and seek funding, establish multi-agency approach, led by government (Dept of Agriculture). Connor (2007) advises the following strategies take place:
- Develop strategic program to prevent/control invasive species
Develop quarantine areas
- Continuously educate public about invasive species
- Collaborative effort among all stakeholders
- Use of bait
- Hand removal
- Destruction of eggs
- Encorage residents to keep surroundings clean
- Low grass/ clear up dried leaves and old wood, etc
- Proper drainage (sinks/bathrooms, etc)
- Avoid the introduction of predatory animals
- Rosy wolf snail
- Planarian (Platedemus manokwari)
Impacts:
Agricultural: Achatina fulica is destroying cultivated plant life and other forms of vegetation in Anguilla. The snail spreads fungal and bacterial diseases of plants (Connor 2007).
Economic/Livelihoods: The snails damage subsistence farmers’ crops. Residents continuously spend funds to control the snails. Some householders have resorted to procuring expensive poisoned bait to deal with the problem (Connor 2007).
Human health: Achatina fulica is a potential carrier of the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lung
worm), a potential cause of meningitis and brain damage, is associated with skin rashes (contact with slime) and the shells are potential breeding sites for mosquitoes (Connor 2007).
Human nuisance: In some cases the snails leave unsightly trails on buildings and corrupt water sources around homes. They aggregate in large numbers becoming an unsightly nuisance and attach to houses leaving behind feces and slime. They overcrowd gardens and have the potential to create road blocks (Connor 2007).
Reduction in native biodiversity: Achatina fulica has the potential to out compete other species of snails. It has been associated with destruction of native and endemic plants (Connor 2007). Last Modified: 9/03/2010 4:28:21 p.m.
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