Molluscicidal activity of the Puerto Rican Weed,Solatium nodiflorum,against snail hosts ofFasciola hepatica

After screening 200 species of Puerto Rican plants, Solanum nodiflorumwas selected for comprehensive laboratory evaluation as a source of natural molluscicide. All parts of this plant were found toxic to the snails Fossaria (Lymnaea) cubensis, Lymnaea columella, Biomphalaria glabrata,and Physa cubensis.No toxicity was found against Marisa cornuarietisand Tarebia granifera. The toxicant was not affected by pH and dry storage. There was a direct correlation between temperature and molluscicidal activity. The plant is easy to find locally and could be developed into cheap, safe means for controlling both Schistosomaand Fasciolasnail hosts in Puerto Rico.