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Agricultural Pests Destruction Movement In New Zealand, Peter C. Nelson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

New Zealand could be regarded as an acclimatization laboratory, i.e., the consequence of a wide range of animal introductions in the period 1840-1907. Species introduced ranged from camels to hedge-hogs, ostriches to sky larks. Fortunately many failed to survive.

The majority of these liberations were made by Acclimatization Societies or private individuals, often with Government approval and protection. The most damaging species were several species of deer, rabbits, Australian opossums, goats, pigs, tahr, wallabies, and chamois.

The establishment, natural dispersion and colonization of unoccupied habitat by these animals was successful and surpassed all expectations. Pastoral land development in the early …

Present And Historical Bobcat Population Trends In New Mexico And The West, Gary Lee Nunley

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) populations throughout the West have reportedly decreased from the high levels of the early sixties. This decrease is also reflected in the annual New Mexico bobcat take of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when based on a bobcat trapped per man-year of effort relationship from 1916 through 1976. Bobcat populations in New Mexico were comparably low from 1916 through 1948. In 1949 through 1950 populations began to increase to triple their highest pre-1948 levels by the late fifties. New Mexico bobcat populations began to decrease in the early sixties to present levels typical before …

Sheep Depredation By Golden Eagles In Montana, Bart W. O'Gara

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

A limited study on two ranches near Dillon, Montana, near the end of the lambing season in 1974 revealed that 44 domestic lambs were killed by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). This was 76 percent of all deaths recorded during the short study. Using an average docking percent of 90 (based on years before severe eagle problems developed), the 76 percent eagle predation, and the 1974 docking percentages, the ranchers estimated an eagle kill of 1,092 lambs valued at about $38,000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service live-trapped and removed 249 golden eagles from the ranches during the next …

Pheromones: Their Potential For Ground Squirrel Control, Terrell P. Salmon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Olfactory communication appears to be an important aspect of the biology of most ground squirrels. Several scent-producing glands have been described as having scent-marking behavior. Although the adaptive significance of these glands has not been determined, possible functions are discussed. The potential of using pheromones in an integrated ground squirrel management program is discussed.

Biology, Damage And Control Of The Edible Dormouse (Glis Glis L.) In Central Italy, L. Santini

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The remarkable increase in the number of colonies of edible dormouse (Glis glis L.) registered in the litoranean industrial cultivations of Pinus pinea L. in northern Tuscany over the last ten years and the grave damage to the production of pine-seeds consequent on it has created the necessity of studying systems which may reduce the dormouse menace. Going on what has previously been discovered about the habits of the species in this particular habitat, three different methods of control were experimented: direct capture in their nests, which were in this case cavities in the tree trunks which woodpeckers' activities …

Recent Developments In Bird Damage Control Chemicals, Edward W. Schaffer Jr.

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

A number of actions are under way which could reduce or severely restrict the availability of chemicals presently available for controlling bird damage. The current status of 17 federally registered chemicals, representing approximately 57 products, is discussed with regard to registration, re-registration, or de-registration actions that are pending.

The developmental status of a number of new chemicals or new uses for existing chemicals is also discussed, along with an appraisal of the effects of current federal registration requirements on the eventual availability of these compounds.

Population Modeling As Aid To Rodent Control In The Field, Francois Spitz

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Forecasting the damages by voles on plant crops depends on a good forecast of vole population density. Biological work in Vendee from 1959 till 1968 have furnished the fundamentals of a population model. Further work on the relationship between breeding and climate enabled us to set up a practical forecasting model. This is applied by the Plant Protection Service, and the damage prevention system consists of a test trapping in winter, a population forecasting in early March, and, if necessary, poisoning in March-April. Generalization of the system is in progress.

Reproductive Inhibitors For Coyote Population Control: Developments And Current Status, John N. Stellflug, Norman L. Gates, R. Garth Sasser

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Coyote depreciation often causes severe losses of livestock and wildlife in many areas. The use of toxicants is banned for coyote control in the United States necessitating the consideration of alternative methods of control of these predators. This review deals with a class of possible alternatives for population control (reproductive inhibitors) and the conditions associated with selection and application of reproductive inhibitors to the target species.

Biological Control Of Conifer Seed Damage By The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus Maniculatus), Thomas P. Sullivan

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

This paper describes the development of a biological technique that successfully controls conifer seed damage by the deer mouse. Eleven experiments have been conducted on three study areas at the University of British Columbia Research Forest, Maple Ridge, B.C. Populations of deer mice have been monitored in all experiments with data from 56,000 trap nights. The technique involves a mixture of conifer seed (Douglas fir) with sunflower seed and oats which is uniformly distributed on logged areas in the late winter-early spring. Survival of conifer seed with these alternate foods was excellent, compared with control Douglas fir by itself, for …

Muskrat Control In The Netherlands, W.J. Doude Van Troostwijk

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Muskrats were introduced into Europe and have now spread over this part of the world. Their success as a colonizing species is discussed, as well as the problems they create in a man-made environment. Due to their successfulness, a strict control program has been changed to a management program in order to keep numbers below the level at which intolerable damage occurs.

Changing Status Of Mountain Lion In California And Livestock Depredation Problems, Richard A. Weaver

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The California Department of Fish and Game studied depredation by mountain lions on livestock from 1971 through 1977 to determine the scope of the problem. Information was needed on the physical characteristics of a stock killer, the frequency and trend of predation, the livestock types preyed upon, and the geographic distribution of incidents. Department of Fish and Game verified 134 incidents of mountain lion predation on livestock which occurred between April 1971 and December 1977. Forty-five mountain lions (28 males and 17 females) were killed on depredation during this time. Approximately 42 percent of the predation incidents involved sheep, 22 …

Influences On The Science Of Animal Damage Control, John R. Wood

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

This paper is about the complexity of animal damage control science and its research, methods development, and control applications. It is not the point here to discourse on the individual methodology used in animal damage control research. The discussion is to point out that many researchers, wildlife managers, bureaucrats, or advocates fail to understand the situation in the science of animal damage control and its attendant problems that need resolution. (1,2,3)

Agricultural Experiment Station News March 1978

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:
FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
GENERAL NOTES
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION PUBLICATIONS – February 1978
BULLETINS PRINTED

Agricultural Impact Of A Winter Population Of Blackbirds And Starlings, Richard A. Dolbeer, Paul P. Woronecki, Allen R. Stickley Jr., Stephen B. White

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The major concentration of blackbirds and Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in North America occurs in the southeastern United States where an estimated 350 million Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) , Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) , Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) , and Starlings congregate in winter roosts (Meanley 1971, 1975, 1977). An estimated 75-100 major (containing >l million birds) roosts form in the southeastern states each year. Increasing attention is being given to many of these roosts because of nuisance problems, reputed health hazards, and agricultural damage associated with them. Although considerable effort has been directed toward developing methods for reducing roosting populations …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (March 1978) 46(1)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1977 Treasurer's Report .......................................................... 2

The Carolina Parakeet in the West: Additional References ............................ 3

1977 Christmas Count ............................................................ 8

1977 Nebraska Nesting Survey ................................................... 13

A Second Great Gray Owl Record from Nebraska, and Other Recent Owl Records ........................................................ 16

Notes ......................................................................... 16

Book Review ................................................................... 20

The Prairie Naturalist Vol. 10. No. 1 March. 1978

The Prairie Naturalist

KEY TO THE SKULLS OF NORTH DAKOTA MAMMALS ▪ J. M. Wiebe

RESPONSES OF PRAIRIE GROUSE TO AVIAN AND MAMMALIAN VISITORS ON DISPLAY GROUNDS IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA ▪ D. W. Sparling, Jr. and W. D. Svedarsky

FIRST NESTING RECORD OF THE CASPIAN TERN IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ J. F. Herman, R. A. Schmidt and K. J. Wilson

MARSH HAWK PREDATION ON BLACK TERN AND PECTORAL SANDPIPER ▪ G. D. Maxson

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA—1977 ▪ R. N. Randall

BOOK REVIEW

Audubon Society "Field Guides" ▪ D. L. Kubischta

Rodents As Agricultural Pests In Mexico—National Rodent Campaign, Federico Sanches Navarete

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Since 1973, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Mexican Government has established a general campaign against the most important groups of vertebrate pests, which cause severe damage to growing crops, stored products and mechanical damage to agricultural and irrigation schemes. To achieve information on this subject, presently the main office of the program is engaged on several activities such as the evaluation of the damage, trapping, species involved, research on population structure (densities and fluctuations to prevent sudden increase of rodent population), sex proportion, pregnancy (number of embryos), bait formulation, distribution methods, etc. Sigmodon spp., Oryzomys spp., …

Wildlife As Vectors In Diseases: Approaches To Solving These Problems In The United Kingdom, Harry V. Thompson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Interest in wildlife diseases and their importance to man and his livestock has increased in the United Kingdom during the past decade. Reasons for this are given and particular reference made to the single occurrence of rabies outside quarantine in Britain, in 1969 (the first since 1922), and to the links between bovine tuberculosis in badgers and in cattle.

Vertebrate Control Chemicals: Current Status Of Registrations, Rebuttable Presumptions Against Registrations, And Effects On Users, Glenn A. Hood

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Man's use of chemical pesticides has received much attention in recent years, reflecting or generating public consciousness of our environmental welfare. The establishment of Water Quality Acts, the Toxic Substances Control Act, air pollution standards, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also exemplify this consciousness which has become a major political force. Although there is some unyielding antagonism against all chemicals used to control pests, there is general agreement that pesticides are necessary for the protection of our health, food, fiber, and habitats. Nevertheless, some pesticides have serious shortcomings, especially toxicity to nontarget organisms and long persistence in the environment. …

Matters Of Concern In Rodent Control In Pennsylvania Orchards, C. M. Ritter

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Rodent control -- both meadow and pine -- has been and continues to be a matter of major concern in all Pennsylvania orchards. Insect and disease problems are vexing but largely seasonal and comparatively easy to correct. Rodent damage, at best, is a debilitating factor in tree growth and fruit production. At worst, it is terminal so far as tree life is concerned.

1976 Ipoms Vole Results, Don W. Hayne

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

This is a preliminary report on the vole portions of an interdisciplinary study of integrated pest and orchard management systems (IPOMS) in North Carolina. Vole trapping results of winter 1976-77 in 46 orchards are reported and compared to vegetational and chemical measurements made in the same orchards the previous summer.

An Experimental Comparison Of Vole Control Methods, William T. Sullivan Jr., Don W. Hayne

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

This is a description of a new relatively long-term study of pine vole control under the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. The objective is to evaluate on an experimental basis, the principal methods used to control vole populations and damage in apple orchards.

Efficacy Data For Baits Prepared As Candidate Orchard Vole Control Agents, Milo Richmond, Mary Dunlay, Robert Stehn

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

I believe this audience is already well aware of the dilemma in New York State. We have suffered extensive damage from orchard mice over the past three years in New York with some growers losing their entire operation. The pine vole, Pitymys pinetorum, has assumed an Important role as an orchard pest and in eastern New York easily surpasses the related meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus as a significant orchard pest. A recent grower-funded economic survey, initiated by this Unit, and reported in a paper by Pearson and Forsney (1978) points up the severity of losses thru reduced quality and …

Research Needs: Pine Vole Depredations, G. K. Lavoie, H. P. Tietjen

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Pine voles {Pitymys pinetorum (Audubon and Bachman), or Microtus pinetorum (LeConte)} are pests of significant economic importance to orchardists in several eastern and northeastern states. The purpose of this report is to selectively review the status of pine vole research from the control, biological, ecological, and behavioral aspects, and to recommend the research needed to develop effective, economical, and safe programs for controlling this problem.

Tank Test Method For Determining Rootstock Resistance To Pine Vole Attack, John C. Wysolmerski, R. E. Byers, James N. Cummins

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Pine vole attack of one-year-old stem tissue of clones representing many hybrid and other species revealed 5 cultivars apparently less susceptible to damage when compared to Golden Delicious stems. Fusca seemed to be least attacked along with 74R5M9-62, PI 286613, N.Y. 11928, and Hall.

Herbaceous Cover Spray Of Chlorophacinone For Meadow Mice Control In Apple Orchards, Raymond E. Hunter

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Very effective control of the short-tailed meadow mice (Microtus spp.) was obtained by means of grass and weed spraying in two orchards with Chlorophacinone. This toxin was applied in one orchard with a boom-type tractor sprayer and in another orchard with a hand-gun nozzle operated from the tractor manually. The anti-coagulant rodenticide in each orchard was mixed in spray tanks at the rate of one pint per 100 gallons water. Spray was directed to an area two feet on each side of apple tree rows applying six pints of the concentrate per treated acre. A five-foot strip of dense …

Reproductive Patterns In The Pine Vole, Margaret Horsfall Schadler

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Reproductive potential in the pine vole is low compared with other small rodents including other species of voles. Age of maturity is late. Males do not reach puberty before 51 days and females before 77 days. Estrus and ovulation are not spontaneous but tend to be induced by mature males. Gestation is long (24 days). Litter sizes are small (2.8 young weaned per female). Litters are produced less frequently because, although females mate and conceive within 3 days of parturition, prolonged gestation insures a minimum of 24-27 days between litters. Only dominant females in a group carry litters to term …

An Ecological Framework For Vole Management, Jay Mcaninch

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

A great deal of past pine vole (Microtus pinetorum) and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) research has focused upon toxicants as a means of population control. The advent of more and more environmental restrictions on chemical uses and toxicant resistance in target populations has created endless research in this area of vole control techniques. The application of wildlife management principles through biological and cultural techniques could serve as a sound foundation upon which to build a vole control program.

A Grower's View Of Vole Control Methods, R. N. Barber

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Barber Orchards has been an operating orchard since 1903. Our number one problem as far as pests are concerned has been the loss of trees due to mice — pine and meadow vole.

In the 20's, 30’s, and 40's, we consistently lost from 300 to 500 trees per year, even though we were putting out and using every known conventional bait station and bait known to the various states growing apples in a commercial way. We used poisoned oats, wheat, chufers, peanuts and apples which we placed in the runs and holes, as well as under one yard squares of …

The Meadow, Prairie, And Pine Vole Problem In Ohio, Charles L. Mcgriff

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Fruit growers, nurserymen, and Christmas tree growers in Ohio suffer economic loss each year if tree-girdling mice are present and not con¬trolled. Unfortunately, in Ohio as elsewhere we have no practical method for arriving at the total value of loss from mouse damage. The grower's reports of losses are merely estimates.

Populations of meadow, prairie, and pine voles are present in Ohio, with pine voles most common in the Southern part. It is essential that the grower identify the species present, because control methods differ, and the same materials are not equally effective for all species.