1.

Golden Snail

The Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is an invasive species with a wide distribution range,
posing a significant threat to agricultural ecosystems, particularly rice cultivation. The initial spread of
the snail is influenced by human activities such as the movement of infected plants and materials.
Golden Apple Snails have a preference for wetland habitats, including rice paddies, marshes, and
irrigation canals, and reproduce rapidly due to their high reproductive capacity and short generation
time. The availability of suitable habitats and an abundance of food resources contribute to their
reproductive success.

Feeding primarily on aquatic vegetation, including young rice plants, Golden Apple Snails exhibit a
voracious appetite and can defoliate and consume large quantities of vegetation, resulting in
significant damage to rice crops. Their feeding behavior can have cascading effects on the food web
and nutrient cycling within the ecosystem. The snails possess several traits that give them a
competitive advantage over native species, including a high tolerance to environmental conditions,
rapid growth rates, and the ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats. These characteristics enable the
snails to outcompetes native species for resources and establish large populations (APASD, 2023)

The presence of Golden Apple Snails in agricultural ecosystems can have both direct and indirect
ecological consequences. Direct impacts include crop damage, reduction in rice yield, and economic
losses for farmers. Indirect impacts may involve changes in plant community composition, alterations
in nutrient dynamics, and shifts in predator-prey interactions within the ecosystem. To mitigate the
negative impacts, various management strategies can be employed, including cultural practices such
as the use of resistant rice varieties, proper irrigation and water management techniques, and
biological control methods like the introduction of natural predators. Integrated pest management
(IPM) approaches that combine multiple strategies can be effective in reducing snail populations and
minimizing crop damage (Rice Knowledge Bank, 2000)
APASD. 2023. “Pomacea Canaliculata(3).” Affrc.go.jp.
https://www.naro.affrc.go.jp/archive/niaes/techdoc/apasd/Pomacea%20canaliculata
%20(3)%20-B.html?
fbclid=IwAR2V5Gxh8PpKD7TB1eEi9IVZyQxPiIbuDv7zTDEY22z7dN2cu1ll-
HnlVpY.
Rice Knowledge Bank. 2000. “Golden Apple Snail - IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank.”
Www.knowledgebank.irri.org. http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/step-by-step-
production/growth/pests-and-diseases/golden-apple-snails?
fbclid=IwAR36euD4MjbYHBk_KDRj5erwK8h74TB8Wpcejex1wkOFWy69SnOaqs
ocJfk#:~:text=Golden%20apple%20snails%20eat%20young.