The apple snail Pomacea canaliculata, a novel vector of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis: its introduction, spread, and control in China.

Abstract

The freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata was introduced to Taiwan then to mainland China in the early 1980s from Argentina, its native region, for the purpose of aquaculture. Because of the lack of natural enemies and its tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions, both its abundance and distribution have dramatically increased and it has become a harmful species to local agriculture and other native species in many areas of China. Unfortunately, the snail also acts as an intermediate host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and has been implicated in transfer of the parasite to people, resulting in angiostrongyliasis manifested as eosinophilic meningitis. Efforts to prevent its further spread and population expansion were initiated many years ago, including the use of chemicals and biological control agents to control the snail.

• Authors: Ting-Bao Yang, Zhong-Dao Wu, Zhao-Rong Lun
• Journal: Hawai'i journal of medicine & public health : a journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health (Hawaii J Med Public Health) Vol. 72 Issue 6 Suppl 2 Pg. 23-5 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 2165-8242 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23901377 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biological Control Agents
• Molluscacides

Topics

• Angiostrongylus cantonensis (growth & development)
• Animal Distribution
• Animals
• Biological Control Agents
• China
• Disease Vectors
• Life Cycle Stages
• Molluscacides
• Snails (parasitology)