Lissachatina fulica (formerly Achatina fulica)
Abbreviation: GAS
Giant African snail is present in: West Indies and South America, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador (incl. the Galapagos Islands), Hawaiian Islands, Peru, Spain, Venezuela, Bolivia, and several Caribbean islands including Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, Marie-Galante, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, and Trinidad.
Giant African snail is a pest of the following plants: more than 500 types of plants including breadfruit, cassava, cocoa, papaya, peanuts, beans, peas, cucumbers, melons, most ornamental plants, garden vegetables, and legumes. It is known to attack the bark of large trees such as citrus, papaya, rubber, and cacao.
All developmental stages of GAS can display signs of external feeding on ornamental plants and vegetables. Because of the GAS’s weight, broken stems might also be present on smaller plants. Cuttings and seedlings may display damage such as the removal of bark.
CBP Agriculture Specialists, please refer to manuals for general inspection guidelines. When performing inspections, look for a body that is dark brown with rubbery skin.
The shell resembles a cone-shaped spiral and is light brown with alternating cream bands in younger snails and upper whorls in larger snails. The shell is typically 5–10 cm, but can reach up to 20 cm in size.
Giant African snail has two pairs of tentacles on its head: a short lower pair and a large upper pair with round eyes.
Eggs are 4.5–5.5mm in diameter, yellow to cream color, and are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape.
Examine plant materials for scraping or defoliation, broken stems, ribbon-like excrement, or the presence of slime trails. Passenger pathway is a major risk. Giant African snail shells can be visible via X-ray.
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