New Zealand Mudsnails: New Invaders to Wisconsin

David RoweFisheries Team Supervisor

david.rowe@wisconsin.gov(608) 275-3282

What are New Zealand mudsnails?o Less than ¼ inch longo Right handed spiralo Hydrobiidaeo Operculate

o Live in broad range of conditions

o Can reproduce asexuallyo Consumes algae and

detritus

What are New Zealand mudsnails?

Distribution in North America

Benson, A. J. 2013. New Zealand mudsnail sightings distribution. Retrieved 12/9/2013 from newzealandmudsnaildistribution.aspx

Why these snails can be a problem

• May impact the food chain • May outcompete native benthos– mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, etc.

• May impact fisheries

Response so far• Begin public outreach– Inform the public

• Begin distribution assessment– eDNA method development– Benthos survey of High Risk streams

• Identify mechanisms for dispersal– Inform users who may be vectors– Provide guidance on cleaning/preventing spread

Preventing the SpreadBEFORE leaving the water: • INSPECT equipment and REMOVE plants and

animals• DRAIN all water from equipment• SCRUB equipment with a stiff brush,

including crevices, to remove all mud and snails

• RINSE equipmentwith tap water

Preventing the Spread

BEFORE entering another stream, switch to a completely new set of gear OR

• FREEZE for 8 hours, or • WASH with 212°F water (steam clean), or• SOAK in 2% Virkon for 20 minutes, then rinse

Questions? Susan Graham, WDNRLocal AIS coordinatorSusan.Graham@wisconsin.gov (608) 275-3329

Kris Stepenuck, UW-Extkfstepenuck@wisc.edu(608) 265-3887 (MTF)(608) 264-8948 (WR)

Laura MacFarland, River Alliancelmacfarland@wisconsinrivers,org(608) 257-2424 x110

Maureen Ferry, WDNRStatewide AIS Monitoring Maureen.Ferry@wisconsin.gov(608) 261-6450