If You See These Strange Pink Eggs at the Waterside, Destroy Them Immediately

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In the last two decades, the Gulf Coast has experienced an unwelcome invasion.

Nonindigenous apple snails, native to South America, have made nuisances of themselves in the freshwater ecosystems of Florida, Texas and Louisiana.

For that reason, wildlife officials in Louisiana in particular have encouraged the public to destroy the apple snails’ pink egg clusters — and to be careful while doing so.

In a video posted to YouTube last year, crawfish specialist Mark Shirley of the Louisiana State University AgCenter explained the origins of the state’s apple snails, how to spot their eggs and how to safely remove them.

“Apple snails is an invasive species that’s come into Louisiana in recent years and it’s actually causing a problem in some crawfish ponds,” Shirley said.

Indeed, according to a flyer printed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the apple snail first appeared in the state in 2006. The LDWF attributed the non-native species’ appearance to what it called “irresponsible aquarium releases.”

“If eaten raw, they can transmit a deadly parasite called rat lung worm to humans and other mammals,” the flyer read.

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