Update on the Giant African Snail (GAS) in Miami-Dade County, FL

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1 Update on the Giant African Snail (GAS) in Miami-Dade County, FL 18th Annual Southwest Florida Invasive Species Workshop January 23, 2014 Eduardo M. Varona USDA APHIS PPQ State Operations Support Officer

2 History (Global) 1800 s started the migration from East Africa Mid 1930 s Hawaii - established Late 1940 s first detections in United States - contained 1958 Arizona - contained 1966 North Miami 10 year successful eradication 2004 U.S. pets stores and schools contained 2011 Miami-Dade County ongoing eradication Current world distribution in the Americas includes: some Caribbean islands, and countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and others.

3 Pathways into the US Cargo Smuggling Hitchhiking Internet/mail Ceremonial use Pets Cosmetics

4 USDA database query entries for Achatinadea (01/2003 to present) General and permit cargo 35 Passenger baggage and miscellaneous 34 Mail - 8 Total entries -77

5 Biology Lissachatina fulica Bowdich

6 Biology GAS is a major plant pest that consumes more than 500 varieties of plants. GAS can harbor the rat lungworm nematode, which can cause a rare form of meningitis in humans and animals.

7 Biology GAS can grow up to 8 inches in length. Adult GAS typically lay up to 1,200 eggs annually There is no known natural predator in Florida for GAS GAS are hermaphroditic

8 Biology In lab tests, self-fertilization by GAS was possible when optimal mating conditions were not present. F1 viable. In lab tests, paired GAS can produce up to 730 eggs/month with a 51% viability Largest # of eggs produced in one clutch, 1,082 In lab tests, specimens (neonates) can survive up to 97 days without food.

9 Current Eradication Program Overview First find on September 9, resident report to FDACS Field efforts carried out primarily by FDACS employees (51) with significant USDA funding through a cooperative agreement ($6.5 million to present) 25 Cores identified positive in Miami-Dade County, Florida w/ 636 positive properties Since the inception of the Program to date: 89,177 inspections 50,131 treatments 137,809 GAS specimens collected.

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14 Survey Process Twice monthly site visit Remove small yard debris Manual collection snails # per property % mortality Age structure Egg mass # eggs % viable embryos Shell length Treat site with Metaldehyde

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16 Other Trends Mean size of collected shell has decreased Possible sublethal effects due to treatments Fecundity Egg viability New cores detected after October 2011 and presently are much smaller in area, lower in number of positive properties, and contain smaller snail populations Cores average ~ 46 positive properties/core Cores average ~ 5 positive properties/core Julio Rodriguez, FDACS 2011

17 Other Tools Better traps preventing escape Better baits durable, clean, low cost New treatment formulations Aggregation pheromones Detector dogs snails in hiding Detector dogs in training will be used to assist in finding GAS where human limitations exist, providing an additional tool in the eradication effort. an a

18 Rat Lungworm Confirmed in GAS October positive core areas Further research to explore distribution within cores Increased sampling in other cores Lindo et al. 2002

19 GAS are known carriers of Angiostrongylus Cantonenss (Rat Lung Worm), which can produce a rare form of eosinophilic meningitis, for which there is no known cure.

20 Outreach Has been vital in identifying new infested areas in Miami-Dade County and garnering ongoing support for program control activities. Efforts have included: press events, radio/tv spots, national and international coverage, bus benches, billboards, newspaper adds, movie theatre advertising, school events, pet amnesty day booths, natural areas managers workshops, and many others Of 25 infested core areas a full 90% of them have been detected as a result of residents calling in with leads of I think I have GAS on my property

21 Outreach messages Impacts to: 500 Crops Agriculture High reproduction rate - increased management costs Economic damage - trade Public nuisance in urban areas Human Health Rat Lung Worm - meningitis Organic growers Home gardens Natural Environment

22 Potential modes of movement into SW FL Home grown potted plants and yard equipment Ceremonial practices Illegal dumping of debris (organic and inorganic) Collectors/purposeful introduction A pet snail Vehicles Internet Cargo

23 What We Are Doing Using Metaldehydebased products Mechanical Collection Inspecting Landfills and Transfer Stations Regulating Landscapers, Lawn Maintenance and Botanicas Public Outreach How You Can Help Don t move home grown potted plant material and yard equipment from or near infested areas to SW FL Monitor areas in your community with strong connections to infested areas Monitor illegal dumpsites particularly if materials there are suspected from SE FL Spread the word in your community Call if you suspect you have GAS

24 FDACS-GALS Hotline Bill Torres, GALS Program Director (FDACS) Office: (305)

25 Eduardo M. Varona USDA APHIS PPQ State Operations Support Officer (305) Office (305) Cell To learn more about GAS and other pests of concern to USDA, our state, and your community go to USDA s.

26 Circle of Life? Questions?