Biological facts

Snail hosts of different Schistosoma species

Bulinus (S. haematobium)

Biomphalaria (S. mansoni)

Oncomelania (S. japonicum)

Relation to water

Entire lifecycle in water

Entire lifecycle in water

Entire lifecycle in water, lives near water (amphibious)

Preferred habitat

Slow flowing or standing waters like irrigation ditches, lakes, ponds, rivers and wetland rice cultivation

Slow flowing or standing waters like irrigation ditches, lakes, ponds, rivers and wetland rice cultivation

Muddy banks from ditches, lakes, rivers and wetland rice cultivation

Food

Aquatic plants

Aquatic plants

Mud with e.g. algae

Resistance to desiccation

Good, survives for 7 month buried in the soil

Less good

Very good in mud

Embryonic

At 25˚C about 7 - 8 days, sexually mature after 1 month

At 25˚C about 7 - 8 days, sexually mature after 1 month

At 25˚C about 18 - 20 days, sexually mature in nature after about 5 months

Life time

Slightly more than 1 year

Slightly more than 1 year

Years