Abstract: The distribution of apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in the lower reaches of the Yangtze river,including provinces of Anhui,Jiangxi,Jiangsu and Zhejiang and the city of Shanghai in China,was investigated,and the distribution characteristics,transmission routes and control strategies of apple snail were discussed.The results showed that some areas in the lower reaches of the Yangtze river are high-density distributed with apple snail and the most often invaded sites include ditches,shallow ponds,aquatic plant fields,rivers and lakes.There three main routes of transmission of apple snail to the lower reaches of the Yangtze river,i.e.,direct introduction by man,indirect introduction with aquatic plants and natural spread.In resent years,indirect introduction with aquatic plants has become the most important route of transmission of apple snail.The main control strategies of apple snailwere introduced.It was suggested that the quarantine for movement of aquatic plants to prevent the spread of apple snail with the plants,and the research in integratedcontrol technology should be strengthened.

Key words: apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), the lower reaches of Yangtze river, distribution of the status quo, control strategy