Green snail

Green snail (Cantareus apertus) is a declared exotic pest in Victoria and is a notifiable pest under Section 17 of the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010.

If you think you've seen green snail

If you know or have reason to suspect that green snail is present on any property in Victoria, you must notify Agriculture Victoria by calling 136 186 or emailing Market.Access@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Notifications must be made within seven days of becoming aware or suspecting the presence of green snail.

Biology

Cantarues apertus (syn. Cornu apertus, Helix aperta) or green snail typically has a life span of three years which includes several reproductive cycles. It can breed very quickly with up to 1000 young snails found per square metre.

The life cycle of the snail is heavily influenced by day length and moisture conditions as these determine length of aestivation (dormancy). Generally, after autumn and winter rains, dormant snails reactivate and emerge from the soil. The mature snails then lay eggs in the soil around May or June, and young snails begin to appear in early winter. In spring to early summer, the snails burrow into the soil, seal the opening to their shell with a solid skin and become dormant.

The host range for green snail is very broad, and includes broadacre and horticultural crops such as cereals, canola, lucerne, pasture grasses, lupins, cultivated flowers, vegetables (such as cucurbits, brassicas, peas, beans, potatoes), nursery stocks and citrus.

Identifying green snail

Green snail is a helicid snail that has a globular, thin and translucent shell of 3 to 4 whorls. It has an approximate height of 27 mm and width of 27 mm. The colour of the snail is generally pale, but it can often become dark green with maturity. Juvenile snails have an olive-green shell while mature snails have an olive-brown shell.

The damage caused by the snail includes a 'windowpane' effect on young leaves as well as holes in leaves resulting from feeding.

Distribution in Australia

Green snail has been established in the Perth metropolitan area since the 1980s. It was first detected in Victoria in 2011 near Cobram in the northern region of the state. There have not been any detections outside this region since.

Movement pathways

Green snail can spread slowly via natural movement. However, they are primarily spread through the movement of plants, soil and other objects.

This includes:

• pasture grasses
• fodder (hay)
• vegetables
• nursery stock and cut flowers
• agricultural equipment and bins.

Minimising the risk

To minimise the risk of introducing green snail to your property, ensure all machinery, equipment and bins are appropriately cleaned before arriving on your property. Inspect all plant materials that arrive for evidence of the presence of green snail.

Businesses that are operating land where green snail has been detected, or land that has been linked to a green snail detection, must also follow biosecurity measures to reduce the likelihood of the pest spreading further.

Management and legislation

Legislation is enacted under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 to declare all parcels of land affected by green snail to be Restricted Areas in the Order declaring Restricted Areas in Victoria for the control of green snail.

All owners/operators of green snail affected land require a permit to move any potential green snail carriers off their land (including plants, machinery and equipment). If you require a permit, please contact Agriculture Victoria Plant Biosecurity on 1800 878 962 or use the regional contact details below.

Northern Region

Plant Quarantine (DJPR)

Email: plant.quarantine@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Phone: 1800 878 962

South East Region

Plant Standards (DJPR)

Email: plant.standards@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Phone: 1800 878 962

South West Region

Plant Standards South West (DJPR)

Email: plant.southwest@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Phone: 1800 878 962

Interstate movement restrictions

Interstate trade regulations exist to prevent the spread of green snail into other states and territories. Contact the relevant state authority for more information regarding interstate entry requirements and market access.

Green snail program review

Agriculture Victoria is currently undertaking a review of green snail management and legislation in Victoria.

The aims are to:

1. review the potential impacts that green snail is having on production systems on affected land
2. review the application of movement controls by affected land holders
3. clarify the effectiveness of landholder communications and engagement activities
4. review the green snail surveillance intent and approach.

While the review is ongoing, the regulatory measures currently in place for green snail will remain the same. The findings will be communicated to stakeholders once the review has been completed.