Evaluation of the molluscicidal activity of vegetal extracts on Achatina fulica Bowdich (Achatinidae)

Abstract

Achatina fulica Bowdich (Achatinidae) is a terrestrial pulmonary gastropod that has become a pest in small subsistence plantations. Also it is considered as a threat to sustainable agriculture in some countries, which demand high investments in order to control it; however, the most part of the tried methods have failed. This species can also act as an intermediate host of nematodes. In this context, the search for compounds easily biodegradable has increased the interest for using molluscicidal agents obtained from plant sources. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate leaves extracts of Bacharis dracunculifolia DC., Morus rubra L., Cyperus rotundus L. and buds extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla L. and Sygygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry as possible molluscicidal agents. From these species, S. aromaticum and E. heterophylla were active as molluscicidal agents affecting survival rate of A. fulica and, C. rotundus did not show molluscicidal activity over this gastropod. None of the plant species tested showed ovicidal activity. The results of the present study indicate that the aqueous extracts of S. aromaticum buds and E. heterophylla leaves can be a viable approach for alternative control of terrestrial molluscs.