Digital Commons Network^™

Migration Patterns For Age And Sex Classes Of Blackbirds And Starlings, Richard A. Dolbeer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater), and Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are ubiquitous breeding birds in much of North America. The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is an abundant breeding bird east of the Rocky Mountains (Dolbeer and Stehn 1979). Although these species are widely dispersed and generally unassociated during the nesting season, they often associated closely in winter roosts containing up to 10 million birds in the southern United States (Meanley and Webb 1965, Meanley 1971). Little is known about the comparative migration patterns of the four species and the resulting mixture of local breeding populations in winter. Comparative …

Effect Of Pellet Size And Packaged Commercial Baits For The Control Of Pine Voles, Ross E. Byers, Mark H. Merson

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

No difference in field control of pine voles was found be¬tween 3 different pellet sizes broadcast at either 5.6 kg/ha (5 lbs/.p acre) or 11.2 kg/ha (10 lbs/acre) for either Volid or ZP Rodent Bait . Comparison of the 18 Volid plots with the 18 ZP Rodent Bait plots showed a statistical difference in animal control between these materials of 95% and 85% respectively. Place packs of Volid or ZP Rodent Bait were opened at approximately 95% of the active sites. Since about 5% of the sites were active by the apple indexing, we believe a low but residual population …

A Current Assessment Of Vole Damage And Numbers And Of Methods Used To Control Voles In Ontario Apple Orchards, Ronald J. Brooks, Stephen A. Struger

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

A province-wide evaluation of the amount, distribution, source and control of damage to Ontario apple trees was initiated. Data we re obtained from 280 responses to a questionnaire distributed to growers across Ontario, and from trap censuses in three widely separated areas. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) damaged or destroyed 8,423 trees in our questionnaire sample and other mammals damaged another 10,307 trees. No relationship was found between application of rodenticide and levels of damage, but rodenticide-treated baits sharply reduced numbers of voles on our trap plots. Orchards with high levels of damage were on average only one-third as …

The Relationship Of Nutritional Factors To Apple Tree Root Damage By Pine Voles, F. A. Servello, J. J. Hasbrouck, R. L. Kirkpatrick, K. E. Webb

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Damage to apple tree roots by pine voles is believed to occur primarily during the winter months. Cengel et a1. (1978) found that the stomachs of pine voles contained significant amounts of root material only during January and March sampling periods. In addition, the diet of pine voles at that time consisted primarily of less preferred grass species because preferred forb species were unavailable. Therefore, apple tree roots may serve as a food source in the winter when preferred forages are unavailable. If, in fact, pine voles are consuming roots in response to reduced food supplies, then one would expect …

Pine Vole Reinvasion Of An Unfilled Suitable Habitat, Pamela N. Miller, Milo E. Richmond

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Despite years of research aimed at developing ecologically safe and effective methods for controlling pine voles these rodents remain a serious agricultural pest. A large portion of the damage occurring yearly could be avoided through close adherence to the current recommendations. A regular mowing and herbicide program to eliminate rodent cover combined with rodenticides comprise the integrated pest management program currently available. Effective toxicants include a ground spray and various pelleted baits which can be placed in the runways. Repeated mowing of grasses and the use of herbicides are two effective means of reducing or eliminating an existing population, and …

Radiotelemetric Evaluation Of The Effect Of Horticultural Practices On Pine And Meadow Voles In Apple Orchards: Iii. Use Of Orchard Border Habitats By Meadow Voles, Ralph E. Pagano, Dale M. Madison

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

A study was undertaken to determine if meadow voles,Microtus pennsylvanicus, use habitats adjacent to apple orchards. Considerations were given to how extensively these areas were used, if at all, and if a bulldozed strip would control their movements between the orchard and adjacent border habitats. Trapping and telemetry data showed that meadow voles do use the adjacent border habitats extensively and make frequent crossings between these areas and the nearby or¬chards. It would seem, therefore, important to include these areas in any vole management program. Although the bulldozed strip was effective in reducing movements between the orchard and adjacent …

A Preliminary Survey Of Genetic Variation Over Two Seasons Among Orchard Pine Vole Populations, J. E. Mcbride, J. J. Ney, A. R. Tipton, R. L. Kirkpatrick

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

The objective of this study was to test for genetic homogeneity among several discontinuous orchard pine vole populations, particularly between those that had been treated with endrin and those that had not. Endrin-resistant pine vole strains have been documented (Webb and Hors-fall 1967; Webb et a1. 1973), but have not been characterized genetically. Practically, this study was designed to determine if genetic differences existed among endrin-treated and non-treated orchard populations over two seasons of the year, by examining a few specific gene loci believed to be involved in endrin metabolism in small mammals.

Water Metabolism In Laboratory-Maintained And Free-Ranging Pine Voles (Microtus Pinetorum), D. Rhodes, M. E. Richmond

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Prior study of water use by the pine vole, Microtus pinetorum, has indicated that these voles require large volumes of water on a daily basis and exhibit rapid turnover of body water relative to other mammals of similar body size (Rhodes and Richmond, 1981). However, the extent to which these animals are tolerant of water deprivation and hence the importance of available water to the members of this species remains unexplored. Similarly, data on rates of body water turnover in free-ranging pine voles are presently unavailable. Thus, this study examines rates of body water turnover and urine concentrations of …

Effect Of Green Vegetation And Cotton Nest Material On Reproduction And Survival Of Pine Voles (Microtus Pinetorum), Jack A. Cranford

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Plant compounds associated with active plant growth and senescence have been reported to have different effects on microtine reproduction (Berger et al., 1977, 1981). Biological assays of inhibitory compounds showed some effect at pharmacological doses in Microtus pennsylvanicus but not in M. pinetorum (Cranford et al., 1980; Derting and Cranford, 1981). Stimulatory plant compounds contained in active growing wheat have been demonstrated to cause early sexual maturation (Berger et al., 1981) and to induce reproduction in wild populations during non reproductive periods (Negus, 1977; Berger et al., 1981). Bodenheimer (1949) postulated that plants contain compounds which trigger the onset of …

Progress Of A Bioenergetic Simulator Of Pine Vole Populations, K. C. Jordan, A. R. Tipton, R. L. Kirkpatrick

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

The pine vole research effort under way at VPI & SU has involved 4 parts: an investigation of nutrition and energetics, a study of habitat and behavior, an evaluation of chemical control, and the development of a computer simulation model of population dynamics. Coyle et a1. (1981) reported on the results of a preliminary model developed by Coyle (1980), and outlined a second stage model to incorporate his (1980) recommendations and the continually expanding base of field and laboratory data. The preliminary model was a demographic simulator mechanistically driven by bioenergetic equations developed chiefly from laboratory studies at Virginia Tech. …

A Comparison Of Maternal Behavior In Three Species Of Voles (Microtus Pennsylvania, M. Pinetorum, And M. Ochrogaster) Using A Laboratory System, B. A. Mcguire, M. A. Novak

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

A system has been developed to describe and compare the maternal behavior of three species of microtine rodents within a naturalistic environment. The apparatus consists of two Interconnected Plexiglas-based tables with a peat substrate and hay cover. A pregnant female and her mate are placed within the tables, once the female has shown a thirty percent weight gain and pups can be felt by palpating her abdomen. Maternal behavior, as well as male-female interactions and information on pup physical and behavioral development, are recorded daily for twenty-five days immediately following parturition. Unrestricted observation of female behavior during neonatal, pre-weaning and …

Proceedings Of The Sixth Eastern Pine And Meadow Vole Symposium, Harpers Ferry, Wv (Covers, Frontmatter, Contents)

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Frontmatter

Demographic Analysis Of Pine Vole Populations In Two Orchard Types In Southwest Virginia, J. J. Hasbrouck, A. R. Tipton, S. B. Lindquist

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Few long term studies have been conducted to analyze the population dynamics of pine and meadow voles in orchard environments. Such studies are needed to provide basic biological information for use in orchard management and vole control programs. To satisfy these needs, a three year study was begun in December, 1979, to monitor vole populations in a maintained and an abandoned apple orchard in Southwest Virginia. Two objectives of this study were (1) to follow population dynamics of pine and meadow voles in two orchard types and (2) to provide data for the development and validation of computer modeling efforts …

Proceedings Of The Sixth Eastern Pine And Meadow Vole Symposium, March 10-12, 1982 (Complete Proceedings)

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Entire symposium

Highlights of the Sixth Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposium
The Sixth Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposium was held at the Cliffside Inn, Box 786, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425, March 10-12, 1982, for the purpose of assessing the current status of research, extension, and industry programs relating to the problem of vole damage to fruit trees. The meeting was intended to create a problem solving atmosphere in which growers; various governmental agencies such as EPA, USDA, USDI; the chemical industry; and university personnel could ob¬serve the current thrusts of research and extension programs and their potential …

Effects Of Known Densities Of Pine Voles On Apple Trees, Milo Richmond, Pamela N. Miller

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Damage to fruit trees, tree seedlings and a wide array of ornamental shrubs by microtine rodents remains a widespread problem in both Europe and North America. Careful studies that quantify the levels of damage caused by a known density of rodent pests are not available. For this reason the orchard manager. Pest Control Specialist, and the researcher have a difficult time making wise decisions that are based on solid economic data.

There are several reasons for this lack of knowledge. The damage done to apple trees is not easily observed, described, or measured. There is probably not a simple linear …

Status Of Winter Populations Of Pine Voles (Microtus Pinetorum, Philip O. Renzullo, Milo E. Richmond

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Knowledge of the spatial and temporal organization of free ranging animal populations is important to an understanding not only of the social behavior between members of those populations, but also of several demographic parameters of the population, including reproduction, dispersal and mortality. Such information is particularly important when viewed in the context of pest species management. The efficacy of control practices such as rodenticide application and habitat manipulation might be greatly enhanced if performed with an understanding of the organization and status of pest populations in mind.

Early considerations of pine vole (Microtus pinetorum) spatial and temporal organization were based …

Influence Of Photoperiod And Nutrition On Food Composition, Body Condition And Reproduction In The Pine Vole, J. J. Hasbrouck, A. R. Tipton, R. L. Kirkpatrick, Jack A. Cranford

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Previous field studies in Virginia reported a longer breeding sea¬son in pine voles in maintained apple orchards than in abandoned orchards and attributed the difference to nutrition (Cengel et at. 1978, Noffsinger 1976). The maintained orchard was theorized to have better quantity and quality of forage in fall due to mowing, fertilizing and the presence of apple drops. Hasbrouck et a1. (1981) found adult male pine voles snap-trapped in November and December in an orchard where apples were present had significantly heavier reproductive organs and higher spermatozoa counts than those trapped in an area of the orchard where apples had …

Habitat Utilization And Spacing Patterns Of Pine And Meadow Voles, J. A. Cranford, T. L. Derting

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) and meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) co-occur in orchards but may exhibit mutual avoidance through temporal or spatial isolation. Though pine and meadow voles have exhibited overlapping home ranges, individuals of the two species seldom occupy the same 2m area at the same time (Pagano & Madison, 1981). Differences in habitat use by pine and meadow voles may contribute to their spatial separation in orchards. McAnich (1979) found a weak relationship between meadow vole numbers and soil compaction, soil moisture, thatch depth, and light intensity and no relationship between meadow vole occurrence and …

Potential Use Of Barn Owls To Control Vole Populations In Orchards, T. L. Derting, Jack A. Cranford

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

The development of control methods for pine and meadow voles in orchard habitats has met with limited success. Though numerous physical, mechanical, and chemical methods have been recommended for limiting vole populations, few have effectively reduced and maintained vole populations at minimal densities for extended periods of time. Though the use of chemicals has been the most effective control method developed it has not resulted in the extinction of pest populations. The initial application of rodenticides frequently causes a significant reduction in pest species, but due to their high intrinsic rate of increase, vole densities quickly rise. Because of high …

Strange Males Block Pregnancy In Lactating Pine Voles, Microtus Pinetorum, And Reduce Survival And Growth Of Nursing Young, Margaret H. Schadler

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Strange (unfamiliar) males affect survival of progeny of reproductive female rodents in a variety of ways. In mice, strange males block pregnancy before implantation of embryos (Bruce, 1959) but only in females that are not lactating (Bruce and Parkes, 1961). In voles these males can block pregnancy both before and after implantation (Stehn and Richmond, 1975; Marks and Schadler, 1979; Schadler, 1981). Strange males have also been shown to kill nursing pups in lemmings (Mallory and Brooks, 1978) and mice (Labov, 1980 and vom Saal and Howard, 1982).

The present study in pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) examines the …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 14, No. 1. March 1982

The Prairie Naturalist

LEGUME DISTRIBUTION AND NODULATION IN ARAPAHO PRAIRIE, ARTHUR COUNTY, NEBRASKA ▪ L. A. Kapustka and J. D. DuBois

BREEDING BIRDS IN TWO DRY WETLANDS IN EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ D. E. Hubbard

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF THREE SMALL-MAMMAL TRAPS IN PRAIRIE WETLANDS G. W. Pendleton and R. P. Davison

WHITE PELICAN POPULATIONS AT CHASE LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA, EVALUATED BY AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ▪ J. G. Sidle and E. L. Ferguson

MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA:CULICIDAE) CONSUMED BY BREEDING ANATINAE IN SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA ▪ M. I. Meyer and G. W. Swanson

BOOK REVIEWS:

Peterson's revised field guide ▪ J. M. Andrew

Midwestern turtles ▪ …

The Probe, Issue 20 - March 1982

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE National Animal Damage Control Association March, 1982
The Endangered Species Act(ESA)is in the process of being amended.
Executive Committee meeting
NADCA meeting
CDC reports two recent cases of humans contracting tularemia from their cats.
TULAREMIA,WHERE ARE YA WHEN WE NEED YA?
DOG OWNERS - REMEMBER IT'S TRAPPING SEASON
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAMMALOGISTS
ANIMALS HAS GOT AS MUCH RIGHTS AS HUMANS
NATIONAL WOOLGROWERS ANNUAL MEETING
EPA 1080 HEARINGS
The Research & Special Programs'Administration (U.S. Dept. of Transportation) has ruled that pyrotechnical devices like Shellcrackers come under the Class A explosives category which makes them practically impossible to transport.
RICH …

The Aquatic Toxicity Of Organic Compounds To Embryo-Larval Stages Of Fish And Amphibians, Jeffrey A. Black, Wesley J. Birge, Willaim E. Mcdonnell, Albert G. Westerman, Barbara A. Ramey, Donald M. Bruser

KWRRI Research Reports

Aquatic toxicity tests were conducted on 11 organic compounds considered hazardous to water resources. The toxicity of each compound was evaluated using embryo-larval stages of two to eight fish and amphibian species. Exposure was initiated at fertilization and maintained through 4 days posthatching. The animal test species exhibited varying degrees of sensitivity to the selected toxicants. Combined frequencies for mortality and teratogenesis at 4 days posthatching gave LC₅₀ ranges of 3.66 to 8.25 mg/L for benzene, 1.16 to 22.42 mg/L for carbon tetrachloride, 0.11 to 1.20 mg/L for chlorobenzene, 2.03 to > 68 mg/L for chloroform, 3.01 to 5.56 mg/L …

Sunlight Induced Movement Of Planktonic Organisms And Their Relationships To Water Movements, John Calkins, Ed Colley, Jay Wallingford, Carol Hulsey, Kathy Lohr, Marc Bolling

KWRRI Research Reports

Previous studies have shown the planktonic organisms of various natural water bodies to be quite sensitive to the levels of solar ultraviolet radiation incident at the water surface in summer. It has been assumed that the majority of the phytoplankton are simply carried about in the mass of the water which they inhabit with little control of their position or sunlight exposure. Photosynthetic microorganisms must strike a delicate balance with regard to solar radiation; they must obtain enough visible light for adequate photosynthesis while avoiding an excessive exposure to the injurious solar UV-B radiation.

It is proposed that the circulation …

Evaluation Of Zinc Phosphide Bait For Pocket Gopher Control On Forest Land, Victor G. Barnes Jr., Richard M. Anthony, James Evans, Gerald D. Lindsey

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Laboratory bioassays and field tests were conducted to determine if zinc phosphide baits would control pocket gophers in forest plantations. Zinc phosphide baits generally were less effective than the strychnine alkaloid-oat bait commonly used by forest managers to control gophers. However, a carrot bait with 0.75% zinc phosphide showed potential as a substitute for strychnine. Size of carrot bait and grooming activity of gophers were identified as important factors affecting efficacy of baits.

Snares For Predator Control, Major L. Boddicker

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The use of snares predates recorded history. The snare was first used when ancient man realized that an association between a tightening loop of vine and an ensnared animal was something which he could construct and repeat. The current increased interest in snares has been a result of restricted chemical tools in animal damage control resulting in a new look at old mechanical methods. The increased value of pelts of predators has brought efforts by private trappers to improve snaring as a tool. As a result, the ancient art of snaring has been greatly improved over the last decade. New …

Predator Problems When Using Sheep And Goats In Managing Brush On Rangelands, James E. Bowns

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Rangelands occupy a large portion of the western United States and the world. Grazing by ruminant animals provides the only means of obtaining usable products from these lands. Sheep and goats are more efficient producers, better adapted to many ranges, and are useful in controlling or manipulating shrubs and other undesirable vegetation which results in improved range conditions and increased water yields. There has been a general decline in sheep and goat numbers and a shift toward cattle. Predation has been a major factor in the abandonment of many sheep and goat operations and the shift to other livestock. A …

Current Improvements In Baiting Pine And Meadow Voles, Ross E. Byers, M.H. Merson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Excellent control of pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) and meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) was achieved with several commercially pelletized anticoagulant baits applied as single hand-placed or broadcast treatments. A new pelletized formulation of zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) was shown to kill approximately 30% more voles when compared to another surface-coated 2% Zn3P2 corn-and-oat formulation. Hand-placed cellophane or plastic-packaged rodenticides were effective when placed in vole runways under cinder blocks and split tires.

Conference Participants

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The Conference was the largest ever with a total of 479 registered attendees. The participants came from 31 states, the District of Columbia, and 15 other countries: Australia, Canada, Bangladesh, Egypt, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. The wide representation from the United States and from countries throughout the world contributed to the success of the Conference by providing a highly diversified group for the exchange of ideas and information.

Pulsed Baiting —A New Technique For High Potency, Slow Acting Rodenticides, Adrian C. Dubock

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The disadvantages of the acute, fast-acting, rodenticides are well understood by the specialist. However, despite poison-shyness and consequent short-lived, low efficacy rodent control, many users prefer "acutes" such as zinc phosphide to "first-generation" anticoagulants of the warfarin type. The techniques necessary for efficient use of the first-generation anticoagulants are often inappropriate, particularly in agriculture. High labour and bait inputs required are unacceptable and are, together with the need for area coordinated control programs, significantly responsible for lack of widespread use of anticoagulants, even in those countries with a long history both of disastrous rodent damage to crops and rodent damage …