Mantis shrimp

Taxonomic position: The species Squilla mantis, commonly known as the mantis shrimp, belongs to the order Stomatopoda within the family Squillidae. As a specialized marine predator, it is biologically distinct from terrestrial agricultural pests. However, it is recognized as a significant nuisance in marine aquaculture settings where it can disrupt the commercial production of crustaceans and mollusks.

Affected sectors: While this creature does not damage field crops, it poses a severe threat to coastal aquaculture operations. The species primarily impacts shrimp farms, oyster beds, and juvenile fish nurseries. By entering cages or pens, these predators can devastate stocks, causing substantial economic loss for marine farmers across their range in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Biology and lifecycle: Mantis shrimp are known for their complex behavior and nocturnal hunting habits. They spend most of their time in burrows, which they construct in sandy or muddy bottoms. Their lifecycle involves a significant pelagic larval phase, where the larvae drift in plankton before settling on the seafloor to develop into adults. This dispersion method complicates local pest management efforts.

Nature of damage: The primary harm is driven by the species' predatory nature. They possess specialized raptorial appendages capable of delivering extremely fast and powerful strikes, which are lethal to cultured species. Furthermore, their burrowing behavior can physically undermine the stability of underwater structures, nets, and containment barriers, leading to leakage of stock or structural failure.

Protection and control measures: Effective management in aquaculture involves a combination of mechanical and environmental strategies:

• Deployment of fine-mesh containment nets to prevent the entry of juvenile or adult specimens.
• Periodic dredging or cleaning of the seafloor to destroy burrowing habitats within the farm perimeter.
• Installation of specialized anti-predator filtration systems for incoming water pipes in land-based marine hatcheries.
• Implementation of trapping protocols to monitor population density and remove individuals before they reach maturity.