Most Unwanted: Oyster drill
Ceratostoma inornatum and Urosalpinx cinerea
Habitat: Marine
Threat: Threatens native and commercial oysters
Status: Potential
What are they?
Species of predatory marine snail more commonly known as oyster drill.
Impact
Urosalpinx cinerea and Ceratostoma inornatum predate on native and commercial oyster beds. They feed by boring through oyster shells. These species can cause a 25% reduction in oyster farm production.
Habitat
Found on the lower shore and sublittoral to a depth of about 12 m, feeding especially on oysters.
Where are they from?
The Asian oyster drill is native to Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The American oyster drill is native to the east coast of the USA
Where are they now?
The Asian oyster drill is now known from France and has also
spread to North America.
The American oyster drill is now present on the south coast of England.
How can they get here?
Contamination of aquaculture seed stock and equipment.
What you can do to prevent arrival
Follow the Code of Practice (currently under consultation) on preventing the introduction of marine invasive species associated with aquaculture. These species are not able to survive immersion in freshwater and will not survive adequate quarantine procedures.
Report all sightings.
Additional information
GB Non Native Species Secretariat American Oyster Drill Profile
Marine Life Information Network American Oyster Drill Profile
