The Relationship Between Snails and Weeds Needs Research

The preference of Bulimulus bonariensis snails to feed on weeds in citrus groves does not necessarily imply that increased weed management will lead to a reduction in pest populations. This relationship requires further research by Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor and entomologist.

“It’s something I think we really need to look into,” said Diepenbrock. “We had a grower who had a really lovely cover crop system with tons of snails in his field, but they weren’t on the irrigation. They were on the cover crop where all of the moisture was. Lots of vegetation was there. In that particular instance, the snails weren’t really having an impact. But in a lot of other fields, we see really heavy impacts with absolutely no weeds and no vegetation. I don’t know why. I really can’t explain that.”

Diepenbrock discussed snails in depth at the recent Citrus Grower’s Summer Update in Valdosta, Georgia. She stressed during her presentation that most of the food resources that snails feed on are weeds.

B. bonariensis, commonly known as ghost snails or peanut snails, are known to be tree dwelling. They will climb trees, microjets and structures.

Due to increased snail presence in Florida citrus groves, Diepenbrock has concentrated much of her research on insecticides to manage the pest. She notes that chemistries with abamectin have the greatest contact mortality.

Further studies are required, though, so Diepenbrock and her colleagues at UF/IFAS can better understand the long-term impact the snails are having on Florida’s citrus industry.

“It’s unfortunate because I really want to deliver the solutions. My growers need it. Growers outside of citrus need it. Growers around the world need it, because the snail is impacting other countries now, too,” she said. “We feel the weight of all of this.”