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Agronomist, Trevor Howie (AgriTech Rural), has reported moderate-high numbers of conical snails causing feeding damage to lentil crops near Horsham, in the Wimmera district of Victoria. Trevor says the snails are damaging the base of plants, which is leaving plants weakened. In some cases, plants have been subsequently snapped off at the stem during strong winds.
Based on the size of the snails and the feeding habits, it is likely that these are small pointed snails (Prietocella barbara), although other species cannot be discounted. Small pointed snails have fawn, grey or brown conical shells and grow up to 10 mm long. They favour areas of rainfall higher than 500 mm. Crops grown on calcareous and highly alkaline soils are typically most susceptible.
Small pointed snails are a pest of pastures, lucerne, canola and some pulse crops, particularly where paddocks contain stubble, and have reduced burning and reduced tillage. Snails can also be a contaminant at harvest and growers should be aware of receival standards for snails in different crop types, which are available from Grain Trade Australia Commodity Standards or local grain traders.
Baiting for snails in late spring is questionable. Molluscicidal baits are typically used in autumn to control mature snails when conditions are moist and snails are active. Stubble management post-harvest is recommended in paddocks with high numbers and/or ongoing problems. This includes cabling, rolling and slashing, which should be performed on hot days over 35°C. For further information, refer to Integrated snail management in crops and pastures.
What is PestFacts?
PestFacts south-eastern keeps growers and advisers informed about invertebrate pests and beneficials in broadacre crops and pastures during the winter-cropping season in Victoria and southern New South Wales.
PestFacts south-eastern is run through IPMforGrains: Best Practice Insect Pest Management, a project delivered by the National Pest Information Network (cesar, DPIRD, QDAF, NSW DPI, and SARDI). This project aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information on invertebrate grain pest occurrence and equip industry with the knowledge needed to implement integrated pest management practices. This initiative is a GRDC investment and includes in-kind contributions from all project partner organisations.
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PestFacts is produced on an ʻas-needsʼ basis and relies upon pest observations and field reports from our subscribers. If you have recently observed invertebrate pests (or beneficial species) in broadacre crops, please contact us to report your observations.
Agricultural invertebrate identification
If you are a grower or agronomist in Victoria or NSW working with broadacre crops or pastures, we can assist you with identifying invertebrates found on farms at no cost. Please contact us for identification help.
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