Green snail is a declared pest in WA
Green snail occurs in some parts of WA and must be reported if detected outside its known distribution. See below for known distribution map.
About green snail
Green snail (Cornu apertus) is a snail species and a pest that feeds on leaves, which may cause plant death.
Green snail attacks a wide range of plants, including most leafy vegetables, cereal crops, pasture grasses and some native plants.
- Green snails vary in colour from light green to olive to dark brown when fully mature. The shell is without any banding, and about 15–25 mm in diameter. The body is light creamy yellow but can darken with age and be up to 55 mm when extended.
- The green snail is intermediate in size between the common garden snail and white Italian snail.
- Green snails do not appear to be restricted to any particular soil or vegetation type. They tend to be ground dwelling and thrive in open grasslands. They can also inhabit areas of natural bush.
- The damage caused by green snail is similar to that of the common garden snail.
- Young snails feeding on surfaces of leaves often only penetrate shallowly leaving a 'windowpane effect’.
- Older snails eat holes in the leaves and may reduce them to veins only.
- During their underground summer dormancy, snails do not pose a risk to crops.
- They can breed very quickly, resulting in up to 1000 young snails per square metre.
- During the dry summer months (November–March) the snails burrow underground and lie in a dormant state (or ‘aestivate’).
- Following autumn and winter rains the snails become active, laying eggs in the soil from May–August with young snails appearing in early winter.
- Snails can be spread over long distances on infested machinery and containers, and in soil, plants and plant material, including hay. Please take care not to spread green snail from infested areas.
Legal duty to report
Green snail only occurs in some parts of WA. Cornu apertus (Born, 1778) is a declared pest in WA under section 22 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
This means that any person who finds or suspects the presence of green snail outside of its known distribution must report it to the department.
Report suspected green snail
Early detection and eradication will help protect WA agriculture and horticulture.
If you find or suspect the presence of green snail outside the current distribution, make a report in one of the following ways.
As a declared pest, any person who finds or suspects the presence of green snail outside its known distribution must report it to the department.