Molluscicidal Activity of Neem and Cinnamon Oils Against Achatina Fulica

Achatina fulica (giant African land snail) is an invasive pest that causes severe agricultural damage and ecological imbalance in tropical and subtropical regions. Present study was undertaken to assess molluscicidal efficacy of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) oils against A. fulica. For this purpose the snails were exposed to varying concentrations of each oil under laboratory conditions for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Mortality data were analyzed by probit regression to estimate LC50 and LC20 values The calculated LC50 values for neem oil were 3.85%, 3.10%, 2.70%, and 2.25% for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs, respectively. For cinnamon oil, the LC50 values were higher 4.60%, 4.00%, 3.60%, and 3.20% across the same durations. Both oils demonstrated strong molluscicidal potential, with dose- and time dependent mortality. Neem oil showed slightly higher mortality rate than that with cinnamon oil. The findings suggest that these essential oils could serve as effective alternative to chemical molluscicides in management of A. fulica.