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Snail fecal content studies were conducted to support the scanning 

 electron microscope study which indicated the ingestion of P^. olei vora 

 and its spermatophore. The fecal content consisted primarily of 

 mycelia. Other materials such as all stages of P^. o lei vora and its 

 spermatophore, and Dialeurodes citri Ashm. pupae were identified 

 within the feces. The identification of insects, insect parts, mites, 

 and spermatophores in the feces was the first time the snail had been 

 demonstrated to have ingested any arthropod. The fecal pellets were 

 encrusted and tightly bound so no reinfestation by previously in- 

 gested mites or fungi is believed possible. 



The determination of the snail feeding potential on citrus rust 

 mite and sooty mold supported the premise that suppression could be 

 attained if the snails were in appropriate concentration. Extrapola- 

 tions were made from these data demonstrating the need for at least 

 twice the number of snails than were present in the Orange Lake, 

 Florida, grove in 1976. 



In reviewing the ability of the citrus tree snail for rust mite 

 suppression, it is doubtful that the snail will become ever again as 

 predominant a biological control agent as it has in the past. The 

 author believes that sufficient data have been presented to warrant 

 the title of biological control when referring to the snails' sup- 

 pression of the citrus rust mite and certainly sooty mold. An entire 

 cultural practice designed around the snail colony is needed to main- 

 tain a healthy, viable snail culture. Such modern techniques as row 

 hedging, clean ground cover, removal of dead wood, and pesticide sprays 

 are all detrimental to the snail colony. The only areas where snail- 

 like culture is actively maintained today is at Leesburg, Florida, at 



