Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...

Management options
No thresholds established for conical snails.
See round snail thresholds as a guideline.
Biological Cultural Chemical
Carabid beetles are known
predators and can help suppress
populations.
A parastic fly, Sarcophaga
penicillata, is the only currently
available biological control for the
conical snail. Flies were released in
2000 on the Yorke Peninsula, SA, but
the impact on control is unclear.
Stubble management includes
cabling, rolling and slashing. Use
these techniques post harvest, after
mid-morning on hot days over 35 o
C. Ideally this should be done when
several hot days will follow. Control
summer weeds prior to stubble
management. Around 50-90% kill
can be achieved when temperatures
are over 35 o C. This is less effective in
dense cereal stubbles.
Burning is best undertaken early in
the burn season. Aim for an even
paddock burn. Around 80-100% kill
can be achieved with an even burn
and about 50-80% kill with a patchy
burn.
Note the potential risk for soil erosion
with these methods.
Summer weed control especially
along fence lines and borders
Molluscicidal baits can be used
effectively in autumn to control
mature snails across the whole
paddock. Start baiting when
moisture triggers snail activity in
autumn and before significant egglaying.
Repeat applications may be
needed after monitoring. Around 60-
90% kill can be achieved depending
on timing, snail activity and bait
application rate.
Fence line and border baiting can be
effective after autumn rains when
snails are moving from aestivation
sites.
Ute Guides, Southern (pp. 94-95)/ Western (p. 74).
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial AND EXOTIC Species
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Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012