Author : Edi Suryanto

Summary : Three control measures of Pomacea insularus as parts of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) components were studied; firstly the development of plant molluscicides, secondly the use of fish as its biological control and thirdly its utilization as quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) feed. Leaf powder of yellow flame (Peltophorum pterocarpum) was found to be quite effective in killing the snails. The powder is water soluble (28% solubility) and yielded high extracts (25% of water extraction and 23% of methanol extraction). The LC50 value of this powder solution is about 91 mg/L at 72h. exposure, on two-week-old test snails. Saponins were the active compounds found in the yellow flame leaves. Study on the control of the snails using fishes revealed that black carp, Mylopharyngodon piceus and hybrid African catfish, Clarias sp. were good snail predators. Results from the release of catfish into the rice field showed a clear trend of a reduction in the snail population. Macroinvertebrates populations presence in the rice field were another source of food supply to the fish, thus enabling the fish to grow without being given supplementary food.