A recent study has found that the invasion of Apple Snails into the rice fields of South and Southeast Asia is having a disastrous effect on the region’s crop yields. The study, conducted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), found that the snails, which were originally introduced as a food source, are decimating young rice plants, leading to massive losses for farmers in the region. The snails are able to reproduce quickly and have no natural predators, leading to their rapid spread across the rice fields of the region. The IRRI is now calling for urgent action to be taken in order to protect the rice crop, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers, from this invasive species.

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source: Phys.org