Apple snail invasions and the slow road to control: ecological, economic, agricultural, and cultural perspectives in Hawaii
2006
Levin, P., P.O. Box 2832, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793 (USA) | Cowie, R.H., University of Hawaii, 3050 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 (USA) | Hayes, K.A. | Taylor, J.M., University of Hawaii, 1910 East-West Road, Honolulu Hawaii 96822 (USA). Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management | Ferguson, C.A. | Burnett, K.M., University of Hawaii, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 (USA). Dept. of Economics
Four species of apple snails (Ampullariidae) have been reported from Hawaii. These have been provisionally identified as Pomacea canaliculata, P. bridegesii, P. paludosa, and Pila conica. Of these, Pomacea paludosa may not have become established, P. bridegesii is highly localized; Pila contica is a pest of taro (Colocasia esculenta) on the island of Molokai, but the most widespread and serious pest if Pomacea canaliculata, present on five of the main Hawaiian Islands. It was introduced, probably from the Philippines, in 1989 or perhaps earlier. Taro is a minor crop in terms of planted area in Hawaii but is the most important crop culturally, as it is the traditional staple of the native Hawaiian people and of great cultural significant to them. Farmer surveys indicate that crop losses of 18-25% are typically sustained, despite a range of control measures, including primarily handpicking, water level management, herding ducks, cleaning and inspecting taro propagules ('huli') before planting, and use of screens on irrigation canals and pipes. This study, using a participatory action research approach, is the first attempt to obtain detailed information regarding apple snail impacts on taro in Hawaii.
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