Common prawn

Systematic position: Leander squilla, scientifically recognized as Palaemon adspersus, belongs to the phylum Arthropoda, class Malacostraca, order Decapoda, and family Palaemonidae. It is a well-known crustacean species found globally in temperate and subtropical coastal marine environments.

Crops and damaged objects: While not a traditional agricultural pest, this species is a significant challenge for the aquaculture industry. It poses a threat to hatcheries and fish farms by predating on eggs, larvae, and juvenile fish, often disrupting the production cycle of commercially valuable seafood.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle of Leander squilla is closely tied to coastal seaweed beds which serve as nursery grounds. During the breeding season, females carry fertilized eggs on their pleopods. After hatching, the larvae pass through several planktonic stages before settling into a benthic lifestyle, where they become highly territorial and opportunistic feeders.

Nature of damage and harmfulness: The primary harm caused by these crustaceans is the predation on early life stages of cultivated fish. High densities of these prawns in confined aquaculture systems can lead to significant mortality rates among stock, reduced growth performance of the remaining fish, and increased operational costs due to the need for continuous sanitation.

Protection measures: Management strategies include the use of fine-mesh filtration screens at water intake points and the maintenance of clear, debris-free environments around cages to discourage settlement. Effective control also involves mechanical trapping and regular monitoring of population densities to prevent sudden outbreaks that could overwhelm aquaculture systems.