Estimating the overwintering mortality of the apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) (Gastropoda : Ampullariidae) in a paddy field of southern Japan using temperature data.

Syobu S., Mikuriya H., Yamaguchi J., Matsuzaki M., Zen S., Wada T.
Saga Prefectural Agr Res Ctr, Saga 8402205, Japan

ABSTRACT

Overwintering mortality of the apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata was investigated in a paddy field of Southern Japan for seven consecutive years. Field data and laboratory experiments revealed snails larger than 6.0 mm exhibited higher cold tolerance than small snails. Seven-years of field data showed that a linear regression explained a close relationship between the over-wintering mortality of snails larger than 6.0 nim and the cumulative low temperature calculated as the subtraction of the hourly temperature from 10 degreesC (CLT). A high correlation was also observed between overwintering mortality of snails and the mean temperature between December and February. Thus, temperature data seems to be practical and effective in estimating mortality of field snails during the winter.

Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology, 45 (4): 203-207. 2001

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