Response of pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) to an operational application of synthetic semiochemicals of stoat (Mustela erminea)

This paper reports on laboratory bioassays and a large-scale field trial of synthetic mustelid anal-gland compounds in controlled-release devices designed for operational application to burrow systems of northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides). The field study was conducted in an apple orchard...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical ecology 1990-03, Vol.16 (3), p.941-949
Main Authors: Sullivan, T.P. (Applied Mammals Research Institute, Langley, B.C.,Canada), Crump, D.R, Wieser, H, Dixon, E.A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
CONTROL BIOLOGICO
CONTROL DE PLAGAS
ENSAYO
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
LUTTE ANTIRAVAGEUR
LUTTE BIOLOGIQUE
METHODE D'APPLICATION
METODOS DE APLICACION
Mustela erminea
MUSTELIDAE
Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection
ROEDORES
RONGEUR
SEMIOQUIMICOS
SUBSTANCE SEMIOCHIMIQUE
TESTAGE
Vertebrates
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper reports on laboratory bioassays and a large-scale field trial of synthetic mustelid anal-gland compounds in controlled-release devices designed for operational application to burrow systems of northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides). The field study was conducted in an apple orchard in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. In laboratory bioassays, a 1:1 mixture of 2-propylthietane and 3-propyl-1,2-dithiolane from the stoat (Mustela erminea) and 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dithiolane from the ferret (M. putorius), dispensed in clay pellets (activated alumina), produced a significant avoidance response by gophers. All resident gophers were permanently removed from 4-ha control and treatment blocks prior to placement of stoat odor in burrows. As indexed by soil mounds, significantly fewer gophers colonized the treatment (40) than the control (68) removal area during a 5.5-month overwinter experiment. There was also a significant difference when comparing the number of mounds between pre- (79) and posttreatment (40) censuses. In addition, most gopher activity tended to occur on the perimeter of the treatment block. Abundance of gophers showed little difference between additional 4-ha control and treatment blocks where gophers had not been removed. The results of this study provide an alternative technique to toxicants for pocket gopher control on forest and agricultural land
ISSN:0098-0331
1573-1561
DOI:10.1007/BF01016502