The provincial government of Yunnan has published a new list of alien invasive species. It includes 441 alien species and 4 variants, such as Fushou snails, Blattella Americana as well as crayfish, 50.1% of which originate from the American continent, according to a report from the Xinhua News Agency.

Undated photo of an unknown woman holding two cooked crayfishes. [Photo: IC]

In an attempt to restrain the damage caused by alien invasive species, the new list categorizes the species into 5 columns based on the different level of potential damage they could bring to the local environment.

Many of species on the list are considered specialty food items in China, with crayfish being a prime example. However, Liao Wanjin, professor at Beijing Normal University, says eating isn't a viable solution in dealing with invasive species.

The list published by the provincial government in Yunnan is considered a microcosm of the problem China has with invasive species. In March, customs officials in Guangzhou seized two giant African snails, which have a strong ability to reproduce, in the luggage of an overseas African student. In April, customs officers in Hangzhou discovered more than 200 living pill worms contained in eight small boxes mailed from Spain.