05/24/07 Vineyard snail; new threat to Washington agriculture

Washington Ag May 24, 2007 A snail has been found at the Port of Tacoma the USDA and Washington State Department of Agriculture say has a very high potential to invade U.S. agriculture and cause significant economic loss. You may not have heard this but the vineyard snail, or Mediterranean snail, was discovered at the port in 2005. In 2006 a survey was done which WSDA managing entomologist Dr. Jim Marra says determined 300 acres of the Port of Tacoma were infested with the vineyard snail. Marra: "It is only about an inch in diameter. It is very simple and innocuous looking. It is black and white in color, but it has demonstrated to be a severe pest of wheat and barley in Australia." Annual damage to Australian grain crops from the vineyard snail are estimated at 10-million dollars but the pest is widespread there. Surveys for the snail are being conducted in Washington beyond the Port of Tacoma and an eradication plan is in the works. More on that from Dr. Marra tomorrow. I'm Bob Hoff.