July 2003. A photo of an egg mass on an unknown plant in a pond in Hawaii. The question was: what is it?

It was identified as the egg mass of an Apple snail, Pomacea, but the species remains uncertain. It could be the Golden apple snail, P. canaliculata. Adult snails are needed for identification. They are large snails, from 4-10 cm and even larger, with a width equaling the height (more or less).

For more information on the Golden apple snail see:

Scientific Information Database on Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea spp.). ISBN 971-92558-7-0

The Golden apple snail (GAS), Pomacea spp. CD-ROM provides a quick and easy access to about three decades of literature on ecology, damage, management options and utilization.

GAS is classified as an ALIEN INVASIVE PEST SPECIES of rice, taro and other plants that grow in aquatic environments. It includes over 400 articles, and over 100 images. The information is sourced from experts around the world. This CD-ROM is designed as a reference tool or a resource package for agricultural technicians, researchers, advisers, students and for those engaged in GAS research, extension and training. The user can take this CD-ROM and study, while on travel. It is easy to use, as all the software needed is supplied on the disc. The information is easily accessed through Adobe Acrobat Reader. Information on this CD-ROM is searchable by author, title, and year of publication, journal title, and keywords.