Objectives:

to evaluate the efficiency of the plant extracts and substances of common access to the community as an alternative method for the control of the African giant snail.

Scope:

encourage the systematic investigation of alternative substances for the control of the African giant snail and strengthen the management actions of this invasive species.

Methodology:

Twenty-five laboratory trials were carried out to evaluate the molluscicidal effects of vegetal extracts of Pink Guayacan (Tabebuia rosea), Matarraton (Gliricidia sepium), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), and beer, using commercial molluscicide (metaldehyde) as negative control and distilled water as a positive control. Each trial consisted of 15 individuals of African giant snails arranged in a terrarium (60x30x20 cm) with sterile ground floor, excess food (herbaceous in general) and constant air intake.

Main results:

A total of 375 individuals of African giant snails, with an average shell length of 39.1 mm ± 12.6 mm and average weight of 6.98 g ± 7.3 g. were collected and processed. Only treatments with the commercial product (56%) and cumin extract recorded deaths with signs of physiological stress similar to those exhibited by individuals exposed to the commercial molluscicide.

Conclusions:

No conclusive evidence was found of the efficacy of the extract of Pink Guayacan, Matarraton or beer as alternative substances for the control of the African giant snail. It is suggested to continue with the experimentation process with the cumin extract, although it is necessary to regulate the protocols used to evaluate the effect of alternative substances of potential use for the control of the African giant snail.

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