Management of Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) (Pulmonata: Achatinidae) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Abstract

The giant African snail Achatina fulica was introduced in Brazil and since then has become an important pest, because of its resistance to abiotic conditions, hermaphroditism, polyphagia, and absence of natural predators. This study aims to evaluate the control of A. fulica in lettuce, in Alagoas, Brazil. Bioassays for the determination of lethal dose and lethal time to adults of A. fulica and the egg mortality were performed in the laboratory by applying commercial synthetic products, commercial and non-commercial alcoholic botanical extracts on mollusk adults. Additionally, the protein concentration, lipase activity and enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), in the stomach, intestine, nervous ganglion and liver were determined. The alcoholic extract of Capsicum frutescens caused higher mortality of A. fulica, and the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens and Piper tuberculatum oil can prevent the hatching of A. fulica. The lipase activity was present and in greater quantities in tissues, stomach, intestine, liver and ganglia of A. fulica, before and after exposure of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens. The enzymatic activity of BuChE was present in the ganglia and liver of A. fulica, prior to exposure of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens. The enzymatic activity of AChE was present only in the ganglion and absent in liver of A. fulica, prior to exposure of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens. The concentration of 10% of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens caused 84% mortality of adult A. fulica in lettuce in field conditions.

Natural products as a control measure of the Achatina fulica (Gastropoda: Achatinidae)

“…In addition, another factor to be observed is that cumin commercial was used without a test to check the presence of other substances (which is not well specified). Santos et al (2018) and Silva Júnior et al ( 2018) tested the extract of C. frutescens (chili pepper) against A. fulica. The difference is that in the study of Santos et al (2018), tests were performed with ethanolic extracts, and in the study by Silva Júnior et al ( 2018), aqueous extracts were used.…”

“…Santos et al (2018) and Silva Júnior et al ( 2018) tested the extract of C. frutescens (chili pepper) against A. fulica. The difference is that in the study of Santos et al (2018), tests were performed with ethanolic extracts, and in the study by Silva Júnior et al ( 2018), aqueous extracts were used. The authors tested the extract on young (2 cm) and adult (20 cm) mollusks.…”

“…The extracts did not interfere with the hatching of the eggs. However, the extracts were applied directly on the mollusks using the spray 10 times and for 3 repetitions for 48 h. The authors reported a significant difference in mollusk mortality of 84% and 40% at concentrations of 10 and 5%, respectively, in field tests (Santos et al, 2018). Pimenta et al (2020) tested extracts of Bidens pilosa L. (blackjack) and Strongylodon macrobotrys (A.Gray) (jade vine) on young A. fulica snails (40 ± 2 mm in shell size).…”

“…They also evaluated whether the extracts altered mollusk growth by analyzing their final mass (g). Santos et al (2018) tested the extract on eggs and on young and adult individuals, in addition to conducting a field trial with adult individuals of A. fulica. Agostini et al (2018) analyzed changes made by the extracts on egg laying.…”

Socio-environmental assessment of the impact of the African snail, Lissachatina fulica (Férussac), 1821, on the population of Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Brazil

“…Several methods of controlling the populations of L. fulica have been studied and tested, such as chemicals and biological control (Madella & Auricchio, 2014;Silva & Machado, 2017;Santos, Negrisoli, Santos, & Negrisoli Junior, 2018). Synthetic products have been used as a combat process, but the knowledge about substances such as molluscicides is still small and its use can end up polluting the soil and killing native species (Zanol, Fernandez, Oliveira, Russo, & Thiengo, 2010).…”