The ecophysiology of apple snails in rice: implications for crop management and policy

Abstract

This review relates the ecology and physiology of apple snails (Ampullariidae) to their impact on rice-production systems. Two species in particular, Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata, have been introduced to several rice-growing regions. Flooded rice systems represent a high-quality habitat for these apple snails because of similarities in the environmental conditions (water temperature, salinity, pH, water flow velocity) necessary for both rice production and for snail survival and development. Furthermore, amphibious respiration, a capacity to aestivate during dry periods, as well as cold acclimation and tolerance (particularly in P. canaliculata), increases the resilience of apple snails to rice farming practices, including agrochemical applications, intermittent drainage and crop rotations -under a wide range of climatic conditions. Risks to regional rice production depend on four principal factors: these are (a) regional climate, (b) regional rice-production systems, (c) prevailing production practices, and (4) the presence/absence of invasive, non-native apple snails. Based on these criteria, lowland irrigated rice in tropical and subtropical regions that is wet-direct seeded is most vulnerable to damage from both native and non-native apple snails (albeit with greater losses from non-native snails because of normally higher densities). Adequate quarantine regulations, particularly in vulnerable tropical regions that are adjacent to centres of recent outbreaks (e.g. India and Bangladesh adjacent to Myanmar, Peru and Colombia adjacent to Ecuador) and attention to the preparedness of farming systems could reduce potential impacts as these highly invasive snails continue to spread. The urgent development of labour-saving crop-establishment methods that reduce dependencies on chemical molluscicides is necessary to achieve sustainable rice production in regions at risk from non-native apple snails.

The apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata: an evidence note on invasiveness and potential economic impacts for East Africa

“…and water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) (Mochida, 1991;Dancel and Joshi, 2000;Joshi et al, 2001;Yusa et al, 2006;Horgan, 2018). Although many of these plants are quite unpalatable, in monocultures they are almost the only trophic option.…”

Monitoreo de insectos plaga mediante SIG aplicados al cultivo de Oryza sativa L. en Naranjal, Ecuador

“…El cultivo de arroz en términos de explotación es una actividad agrícola muy importante y conocida a nivel mundial; sin embargo, por ser un cultivo semiacuático, tiene una particularidad en los sistemas de manejo que depende básicamente de la estación, zona de cultivo, disponibilidad de infraestructura de riego, ciclo vegetativo, tipo y clase de suelo, niveles de explotación y grados de tecnificación. En el Ecuador el cultivo de arroz se realiza tanto en invierno o período lluvioso denominado de secano, como en el verano o período seco, dependiendo exclusivamente de agua de riego (Horgan, 2018). El daño causado por los insectos a las plantas es uno de los principios transcendentales que se torna sobre la producción de arroz.…”

Molluscicidal Activity of Compounds From the Roots of Aralia armata Against the Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata)

“…[28][29][30] Moreover, saponins are also utilized as treatments against mollusks that caused crop damage, namely the species Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea maculata, Gyraulus convexiusculus, and Tarebia granifera. [31][32][33][34][35] Currently, diseases related to parasites are a concern in many countries around the world. 36,37 The freshwater snail P. canaliculata (also known as the golden apple snail) is known to be an intermediate host for several parasites that are pathogenic to humans.…”

“…28–30 Moreover, saponins are also utilized as treatments against mollusks that caused crop damage, namely the species Pomacea canaliculata , Pomacea maculata , Gyraulus convexiusculus , and Tarebia granifera . 31–35…”