Prevalence of land snail Achatina fulica (Stylommatophora: Achatinidae) in the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University Campus

 

Arvind Agrawal

Human Resource Development Centre, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur – 492 010

 

Abstract:

The study was conducted on the campus of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (Lat.: 21º 14´N; Long.: 81º 38´E in the month of March to October  2013. Frequency  of Achatina fulica (Stylommatophora: Achatinidae) in the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University Campus was observed manually. Maximum outbreak of frequency occurred in this campus  between July to October.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Stylommatophora is a air-breathing land snails and slugs, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks, Stylommatophora include the family Achatinidae. It is is known for nuisance nature in many ornamental and vegetable crops (Mehta and Verma, 1976). Achatina fulica snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both the female and male reproductive organs. Two snails are still needed for breeding, but they are very prolific breeders. Achatina fulica snails are classified  into two age classes, young adult and old adults. Old adults, which are capable of producing both sperm and eggs young adults which produce only sperm.  The snails activity starts during rainy season from June to October and continues up to winter.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The study was conducted on the campus of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (Lat.: 21º 14´N; Long.: 81º 38´E in the month of March to October  2013. Frequency  of Achatina fulica (Stylommatophora: Achatinidae) in the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University Campus was observed manually.

 

Figure-1: Achatina fulica moving one place to another place

 

 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Maximum outbreak of frequency occurred in this campus  between July to October. Achatina fulica snails are becoming a serious agricultural pest and this campus damaging Calotropis Procera (Family: Asclepiadaceae) Calotropis procera plays an important role in improving soil fertility and improved soil water holding capacity. The root bark is febrifuge, anthelmintic, depurative, expectorant, and laxative. The powdered root promotes gastric secretions and useful in asthma, bronchitis, and dyspepsia. Dried whole plant is good tonic, expectorant, depurative and anthelminthic.  Madar root-bark is very largely used in India as a treatment for elephantiasis, leprosy, and in chronic eczema. It also used as antidote substance and for abortive purposes. Leaves are useful in the treatment of paralysis, arthralgia, swellings and intermittent fevers. Flowers are useful in asthma, catarrh, anorexia, inflammations and tumors. Observation of this study suggest that there is an urgent need to initiate control of this species in this campus because this species found in this campus only and study to describe the biology and behaviour of Land snail, and their prevalence in this country It is also important to assess pest status of various land snail species in India.

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES:

1.     Mehta P. R. and Verma, B. K. 1976, Plant protection farm information unit, Directorate of Extension, Agriculture, Community Development nd Co-operation, New Delhi, India, 587 PP.

 

 

 

Accepted on 18.07.2017      ©A&V Publications All right reserved