Perceptions and awareness of invasive species in the Brazilian Federal District: implications for controlling the giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica)

The giant African snail ( Lissachatina fulica ) is among the world’s most damaging invasive species, threatening biodiversity, agriculture, and public health. Effective management requires understanding public perceptions, awareness, and engagement, yet sociodemographic drivers of these remain understudied. Here, we evaluate how education, age, and awareness influence attitudes toward L. fulica and its management in the Brazilian Federal District. Using structured questionnaires from 613 respondents, we assessed: (1) sociodemographic correlates of perceived knowledge on invasive species, (2) public perceptions and attitudes of invasive species in general and specifically towards L. fulica , and (3) evaluation of trust in governmental communication and management efforts. Older and more educated individuals exhibited significantly greater awareness of invasive species and L. fulica specifically. However, while higher awareness predicted more negative perceptions of the snail, it did not correlate with proactive control behaviors. Public satisfaction with government management efforts was strongly tied to self-reported knowledge of the snail’s impacts, highlighting a gap between awareness and actionable responses. Our results underscore the need for targeted outreach programs prioritizing younger and less-educated demographics. We propose that generalized education on biological invasions can bolster the success of species-specific campaigns. These insights are critical for designing inclusive policies that enhance community participation in L. fulica management, offering a model for engagement in regions facing similar invasion challenges.