Invasive Applesnail Pomacea insularium: Distribution, Density, Feeding, Population Dynamics, and Potential Threat to Coastal Ecosystems and Rice Industry

South American channeled applesnail (Pomacea canaliculata) has been introduced throughout the Indo-Pacific Region where it has become a major threat to rice and taro crops. First living applesnails were reported in Texas in 1989, and by the end of 2006 the presence of P. insularum was confirmed in 7 southeastern counties (Harris, Chambers, Brazoria, Galveston, Fort Bend, Waller, and Austin). Applesnails are currently found in 18 waterways, including Buffalo, Mustang, Chocolate, Dickinson, New, Whites Bayou, Brazos River, and American Canal. Density of snails in natural waterbodies (rivers, streams and ponds) are from < 1 to 44 snails/m2, but much higher densities were recorded in rice ditches in Brazoria County. Results of a two-year study of distribution, population dynamics, feeding and reproduction of P. insularum in Texas will be presented.