Abstract: Apple snail[Pomacea canaliculata（Lamarck,1819）] is originally from the tropical and subtropical areas in South America, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. In the past four decades, it has been widely introduced into North America and Asia, and which has become one of the major invasive species and insect pests of aquatic crops. In China, apple snail has been settled in many areas in the north of the Yangtze River besides in the south. It is difficult to retard or control the propagation and spread of the apple snail simply by using prevention measures. In order to effectively control the hazards of apple snail, it is necessary to pay more attention to investigate its present northernmost distribution areas in China and to study its patterns of growth, development and spread and its adaptability to the environment. Correct understanding of the pros and cons of apple snail is also necessary.

Key words: apple snail[Pomacea canaliculata （Lamarck, 1819）], spread, global distribution