NEWSROOM
New
Invasive Species Threatens Louisiana
October 25, 2006
An exotic
invasive species of freshwater snail has been discovered in Louisiana.
Several specimens, commonly referred to as the channeled apple
snail, were collected from a canal in Gretna by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, at
the request of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
These mollusks
are known for their voracious appetite for aquatic vegetation.
This group of snails has been a serious pest to rice farmers in
parts of southeast Asia. Away from agricultural areas, these snails
can severely impact native vegetation altering aquatic habitats.
These species
can be separated from native snails by their size, up to 4 inches,
and their peculiar pink egg masses. The pink egg masses are attached
to vegetation, boat docks or other structures above the surface
of the water. Under ideal conditions these snails reach maturity
in three months and can lay clutches of eggs, averaging 200 to
300, every few weeks.
LDWF is asking
anyone who finds snails that fit this description to please contact
their nearest LDWF regional office.
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