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Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich) (CABI)
Note: A. fulica was recently redesignated Lissachatina fulica, largely on the basis of Mead's (1961) observations (Naggs, 2002).
Achatina fulica (Bowdich 1822), formerly Férussac 1821 (CABI)
Giant African snail (GAS), giant African land snail, kalutara snail
Africa (Thiengo et al. 2007)
First introduced to Hawaii in 1936; first introduced to the continental U.S. in 1966 (Thiengo et al. 2007)
Imported as pets and for educational purposes; may also arrive accidentally in cargo (Thiengo et al. 2007)
Agricultural and garden pest; attacks and feeds on hundreds of different plant species (Civeyrel and Simberloff 1996; Thiengo et al. 2007)
Distribution / Maps / Survey Status
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USDA. APHIS. Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey. National Agricultural Pest Information System.
Federally Regulated
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USDA. APHIS. Plant Protection and Quarantine.
Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, the Giant African Snail), are specifically prohibited for both interstate movement and importation into the U.S. This snail species group is not only strictly prohibited from entering the U.S. but is safeguarded when discovered. See also: Regulated Organism and Soil Permits: Snails and Slugs
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USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
See what states have a federal quarantine for any of the targeted Hungry Pests, and identify which pests or diseases are at greatest risk due to a suitable habitat. In addition to federal quarantines, state-level quarantines might apply see State Summaries of Plant Protection Laws and Regulations (National Plant Board).
Images
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Google.
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University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Videos
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Google. YouTube; CNN.
Selected Resources
The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Giant African Snail.
Partnership
National Plant Diagnostic Network.
You can become a more effective First Detector by familiarizing yourself with invasive target pests and pathogens known to exist in the U.S. If you think you have encountered one of the species or disease complexes listed, report its presence.
New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse.
USDA. APHIS. PPQ. CPHST. Identification Technology Program.
Federal Government
International Government
State and Local Government
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Plant Industry.
Giant African land snails (GALS) 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. If you have seen one of these snails please contact the FDACS helpline (888) 397-1517.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Entomology and Plant Pathology.
Academic
Professional
Citations
CABI. Invasive Species Compendium. Lissachatina fulica. CAB International. [Accessed Feb 19, 2015].
Civeyrel, L. and D. Simberloff. 1996. A tale of two snails: is the cure worse than the disease? Biodiversity & Conservation 5(10):1231-1252.
Thiengo, S.C., F.A. Faraco, N.C. Salgado, R.H. Cowie, and M.A. Fernandez. 2007. Rapid spread of an invasive snail in South America: the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, in Brasil. Biological Invasions 9(6):693-702.