Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research Institute Warns: Accurately Distinguish and Control Rice Field Snails and Giant Snails

Calling for Reduction of Unnecessary Pest Control Damage The Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research Institute (Director Kim Haeng-ran) recently urged farmers to accurately understand and distinguish the ecological and morphological differences between native rice field snails and invasive giant apple snails, as some farms have been mistakenly conducting pest control on native species. Giant apple snails are widely used as eco-friendly helpers for weed control in early rice cultivation, but caution is needed as they can cause damage by eating young rice plants shortly after transplanting. As a result, some farms are conducting pest control to remove giant apple snails, but in this process, beneficial native rice field snails that do not harm rice are also being eliminated. According to the Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research Institute, native rice field snails and invasive giant apple snails show distinct differences in appearance and ecology in the Jeollanam-do region. Native rice ...