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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 …

Urban Blackbird Roost Survey—1981, Sally S. Erdman

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

A brief description is given of 29 areas in the United States and Canada experiencing problems with blackbirds and/or starlings. The answers to an Urban Blackbird Roost Survey of these areas are tabulated and discussed. Suggestions for future urban roost management are presented.

Alpha-Chlorohydrin (Epibloc®): A Toxicant-Sterilant As An Alternative In Rodent Control, Ronald J. Ericsson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Alpha-chlorohydrin (EPIBLOC) introduces a new form of rodenticide - the toxicant-sterilant. EPIBLOC, as a pest control product registered and used in some countries, changes the concept of chemosterilants from theoretical to practical. The active ingredient also acts as an acute toxicant in the control of rodents. It is effective on both sexes and all age groups. Alpha-chlorohydrin is rapidly absorbed and metabolized; therefore, it is neither a secondary toxicant nor a cumulative toxicant. Another unique biological characteristic of this compound is its species specificity with regards to male sterility. First, only sexually mature males are rendered sterile through the development …

Development And Evaluation Of Methods To Reduce Rat Damage To Coconut In The Philippines, L.A. Fiedler, M.W. Fall, R.F. Reidinger Jr.

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Based on findings from studies conducted in the Philippines over a span of almost a decade, primarily by scientists at the Philippine National Crop Protection Center, crown-baiting (wherein bait containing anticoagulant is placed monthly in the crowns of some palms in a coconut plantation), holds the potential of providing highly economical protection from rat damage. The success of the method in various field trials appeared related, in part, to selective removal of rodents that feed in the palms and to the use of baits that were preferred over growing nuts. Studies have also indicated that only 10% or less of …

Bird Limes And Rat Glues—Sticky Situations, William D. Fitzwater

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

In antiquity, sticky materials were widely used for catching small birds for food and sport, but this practice is now illegal in most industrial nations. The most widespread use of sticky materials is in "glueboards" to catch rats and particularly mice. Their popularity has increased with the negative public attitude towards use of pesticide chemicals. Early materials were made from latex and gums of many trees, but current ones also use industrial chemicals like Polyethylenes and polybutenes. They have most of the advantages of traps but have some disadvantages. Their use may be limited by temperature, moisture, dust, vapors, etc. …

Commensal Rats: A Threat To Poultry Production In Nigeria, Oluwadare Funmilayo

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Rats are now found in the majority of poultry houses in Nigeria. They usually inhabit roofs, interior of cupboards, electrical and gas appliances, holes in the soil and in walls and rubbish dumps. Extensive rat trapping yielded only two species, the cosmopolitan roof/ship rat (Rattus rattus) and the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis). The most outstanding types of damage, resulting in much economic loss, were the killing of chicks by decapitation and the infliction of deep wounds on adult birds. Breaking of eggs became a serious problem in a few cases. Damage to containers, bags and feed consumption was usually of …

The Cliff Swallow—Biology And Control, W. Paul Gorenzel, Terrell P. Salmon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) nesting in colonies on man-made structures can cause aesthetic problems and health hazards. Cliff swallows are migratory, wintering in South America and breeding throughout most of North America. Cliff swallows have a homing tendency to old colonies and are attracted to the gourd-shaped mud nests. Egg laying begins before nest construction is finished; clutch size averages 3 or 4 eggs. Re-nesting is common if a nest fails and some pairs may raise 2 broods in 1 nesting season. Cliff swallows may be present at a colony for up to 132 days. Cliff swallows are protected by …

Compensation For Vertebrate Pest Damage, Joseph B. Gurba

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Compensation for wildlife damage to private property is recognized by the Alberta government as a short-term reimbursement to the property owner and a long-term investment in wildlife conservation. In 1978 the Alberta Problem Wildlife Committee recommended that problem wildlife management policies and programs should contain three basic factors: PREVENTION, COMPENSATION and CONTROL or ANIMAL REMOVAL. These should be incorporated whenever possible in dealing with a particular species of problem wildlife or vertebrate pest. The Alberta government approved this philosophy as a reflection of traditional rights and fair treatment of landowners and as the basis for future programs. Compensation is paid …

Raptor-Mimicking Kites For Reducing Bird Damage To Wine Grapes, Roger L. Hothem, Richard W. Dehaven

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Preliminary tests in California vineyards during 1979 and 1980 indicated that a raptor-mimicking kite suspended from a helium-filled balloon (kite-balloon or KB) could reduce bird damage to ripening wine grapes. Based on the results of both damage assessments and bird censuses, one KB per hectare, deployed for alternate 1-wk periods, reduced losses caused by birds by about 33% in 1979 and by an average of 48% in 1980 when compared with 1-wk control periods. Habituation by the birds to the KB appeared to reduce its effectiveness over time in 1979, but this problem was reduced in 1980 by regularly changing …