Pest alert: giant African land snail

 

MIAMI -- After being eradicated from Florida in the last century, Florida is once again faced with an infestation of the giant African land snail in the Miami area.

 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) and the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) are working hard to prevent the giant African land snail's establishment in the continental U.S. The snails were discovered in Florida in late 2011.

 

Scientists consider the giant African land snail (or GALS) to be one of the most damaging snails in the world because it is known to consume at least 500 different types of plants, and can pose a serious health risk to humans. These snails could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas because they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments. GALS are illegal to import into the U.S. without a permit.

 

At maturity, these snails can attain a length of nearly 20 cm and a diameter of 13 cm.

 

A toll-free number is available to report snail sightings to FDACS-DPI: 1-888-397-1517.

 

For more information, visit the FDACS-DPI giant African land snail page: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/gals/.