• Home
  • How We Work
  • Where We Work
  • News Room
  • About Us
  • My Nature Page

Conservation Science

Conservation Strategy - Conservation by Design

Conservation Methods

Partners of The Nature Conservancy

Conservation Initiatives

The Nature Conservancy in Africa - Conservation in Africa

The Nature Conservancy in Asia Pacific - Conservation in Asia-Pacific

The Nature Conservancy in the Caribbean - Conservation in the Caribbean

The Nature Conservancy in Central America - Conservation in Central America

The Nature Conservancy in North America - Conservation in North America

The Nature Conservancy in the United States - Conservation in the United States

The Nature Conservancy in South America - Conservation in South America

Asian Clam - Corbicula fluminea

Asian clam
Asian clam© Noel Burkhead

Asian clam is on the worst pest list for The Nature Conservancy's North Carolina Piedmont and Coastal regions.

 

This aquatic pest is found in sandy and muddy bottomed streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and man-made canals. The Asian clam can withstand degraded waters. Ecologically, this species feeds on plankton and can alter benthic substrates and compete with native mussel species for food and space. Corbicula continues to expand its range.

 

Adults can be 2 inches long. The shell is oval usually yellow-green to brown with thick, concentric rings. The inside of the shell is layered with polished, light purple nacre.

 

Life History: The sexes are normally separate, although hermaphrodites capable of

self-fertilization do exist. The 6-month spawning season starts in early summer. The life span is 1-4 years.