Scientific name: Lissachatina fulica
About GAS
- GAS feeds voraciously causing severe damage to agricultural crops and native plants.
- It is a host for rat lungworm which causes meningitis in humans.
- This snail is listed as one of the top 100 invasive species in the world.
- When large infestations occur, they admit a strong unpleasant odour.
- GAS generally live for 3–5 years but periods of hibernation can prolong life for up to 9 years.
- Do not keep these snails as pets.
Distribution
Originally from East Africa the snail has now spread to:
- Asia
- the Americas
- Europe
- Some countries in the Pacific.
Plants GAS feed on
More than 500 plant species are targeted by the giant African snail. These include:
- most vegetables
- legumes
- papaw
- sweet potato
- cassava
- taro
- banana
- cocoa
- citrus
- rubber sweet potato, cassava,
- tree bark and the natural environment.
What to look for
Giant African snail:
- are around six times larger than the common garden snail
- have a distinctive conical shell usually twice as long as wide
- usually grow 5 to 10 cm long, but can reach up to 20 cm
- vary in colour, but are usually light brown with alternating brown and cream bands on its upper whorls
- lay oval cream to yellow eggs about 5 mm across, in batches of 100-400.
How to protect your crops
- Conduct surveys at night looking for signs of rasping on leaves or defoliated plants, and slime trails.
What to do if you find it
- Contact your local biosecurity authority to report it and find out more about protecting your crops.