Developing Bulimulus sp. Management in Florida Citrus
Posted August 2025
Researchers: Lauren Diepenbrock, Nicole Quinn
Contact: Lauren Diepenbrock, UF/IFAS CREC ldiepenbrock@ufl.edu
Summary:
Bulimulus bonariensis is an invasive land snail species in the Southeastern U.S. that has increasingly infested crops in recent years. In citrus, B. bonariensis has been observed clogging microjets, defoliating trees within individual protective covers, and girdling young trees with pre-existing damage. There is very limited information available on population trends and potential chemical control of these snails, which are important to consider when developing management programs. To explore snail population trends, traps were deployed alternately between trees and along grove edges at three sites and were checked for snails biweekly for one year. The count data revealed seasonal trends in snail activity that varied across sites, highlighting the importance of monitoring. The relative success of flat traps and pyramid traps also varied across sites, suggesting that either could serve as an effective monitoring strategy depending on environmental conditions. Additionally, heat maps indicated a random distribution of snails within fields, implying that whole grove management may be necessary. At present, there are no recommended chemical controls for Bulimulus sp., therefore we screened foliar chemistries and molluscicidal baits registered for use in Florida. Among the treatments, the molluscicidal baits and abamectin topical spray exhibited the highest mortality rates over a two-week period. The results of this study reveal pertinent information that may help growers manage B. bonariensis and mitigate its impact on citrus production.
Take Home Message:
- Bulimulus bonariensis is an invasive land snail that impacts citrus and other crops in Florida.
- Population patterns vary by grove.
- Molluscicidal baits and topical abamectin applications currently produce the highest mortality rates of all materials tested.
