Giant African Land Snail

Publication Date

Mon, 21 Apr 2008, 00:00

Last Updated

April 20, 2008, 9:01 a.m.

Report Number

ATG-01/1

Country

Antigua and Barbuda

Pest Id

Achatina fulica - (ACHAFU)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Not yet determined.

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Transient: actionable, under eradication

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: transient

Geographical Distribution

To date, all individuals of the pest have been found in the south-west of the island in the area of Jolly Hill and Bolans New Extension. GPS readings for areas where individuals were found range from 17o04.168N & 061o52.429W to 17o04.198N & 061o52.207W.

Summary

Individuals of the Giant African Land Snail have to date been found in Antigua only. The pest was officially identified on April 8, 2008 by Dr. Angela Fields of the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. Shell lengths of individuals found to date range from 4.0 to 12.7 centimeters. Public education (press releases, media appearances, etc.), control of movements of vehicles and soil, distribution of posters and pest information flyers, response to & validation of reports of snail sightings, and strict surveillance of the areas where the pest has so far been found form part of the current efforts of the Government of Antigua and Barduda to restrict the spread and eventually eradicate this pest.

Danger

The Giant African Land Snail is documented to pose a threat to agriculture (many species of plants are eaten by this snail) and human health (carrier of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis). Of profound phytosanitary significance is the finding of this pest within one mile of the Jolly Harbour area.

Report files

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