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If you notice pink eggs on plants, alarm bells should ring for you. Apple snails hatch from them, which are considered invasive pests.
When pink eggs are found on plants, alarm bells should ring. Apple snails hatch from them and are considered invasive pests.
If you find pink eggs like small pearl necklaces on plants, stones, or walls in your garden, you should take immediate action and report the finding. According to utopia.de, it is highly likely that these are the eggs of the apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata). Originally from South America, this species of freshwater snail is increasingly spreading in Europe and causing significant damage.
The EU has classified them as pests since 2019 and is actively combating them. While they are not yet a major problem in Germany, it is expected that this will change in the future due to climate change, leading to the snail settling in our region as well.
Apple snails are among the most voracious snail species in the world, as explained by utopia.de. They feed on aquatic plants, algae, as well as seedlings and young crops. As omnivores, they consume whatever comes their way.
Due to the lack of natural predators, apple snails could proliferate in humid, warm areas and pose a threat to biodiversity, ecological balance, and agriculture, according to experts.
The animals can breathe in water and air, preferring moist areas but can also survive and reproduce in dry areas, tolerating an average annual temperature of about ten degrees Celsius.
If you find eggs, you should report this to the plant protection service immediately. When disposing of the eggs, it is advisable to wear gloves as they may be potentially toxic.
