Survey of snails on citrus in the Riverland of South Australia

Abstract

A survey of snails and snail damage to 95 blocks of citrus in the Riverland of South Australia was made during 1974 and 1975. The owners of each block were interviewed to determine the cultural practices used and to find out if control measures were applied. An examination of the orchard was made to determine the amount of snail damage to the crop and the species of snails present. The European brown snail Helix aspersa (Muller) was the only species causing significant damage. Snail damage was most severe on orchards irrigated by overhead sprinklers, less severe where undertree sprinklers were used, and rarely a problem on furrow irrigated orchards (P < 0.01). Cultivation did not significantly affect the snail problem. In 1974 an estimated 43 per cent of orchards either had more than 10 per cent crop damage or were sprayed to control snails. In 1975 there were an estimated 9 per cent of orchards affected to that extent.