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Invasive Giant African Snail
September 13 , 2025
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- The Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) has been detected in parts of Chennai and surrounding areas.
- The species is considered one of the world’s worst invasive pests and a known carrier of harmful parasites.
- Field surveys confirmed its presence in St Thomas Mount, Tirusulam, and Perungalathur Hills.
- The snail acts as a vector for parasitic nematodes such as Angiostrongylus cantonensis and A. costaricensis.
- These parasites can cause eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis in humans.
- Human infection can occur through ingestion of contaminated snails or snail residues.
- The snail is capable of surviving in various habitats and consumes more than 500 plant species.
- It is a serious agricultural pest and consistently features in the list of the 100 worst alien invasive species.
- The species was first introduced in India in 1847 when a pair was released in a Kolkata Garden.
- The snails originated in East Africa and spread to India via merchant ships.
- By 1984, their presence was recorded in several districts, including Chennai, Chidambaram, Coimbatore, and Chengalpet.
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