Journal of Chemical Ecology (1998) 24, 603-630

Michael D. Burwash, Mark E. Tobin, Anthony D. Woolhouse and Thomas P. Sullivan (1998)
Field testing synthetic predator odors for roof rats (Rattus rattus) in Hawaiian macadamia nut orchards
Journal of Chemical Ecology 24 (4), 603-630
Abstract: Field trials were conducted to determine whether the synthetic predator odors 3,3-dimethyl-l,2-dithiolane (DMDIT) and (E,Z)-2,4,5-tri-methyl-Delta³- thiazoline (TMT) were effective at eliciting a behavioral response in wild roof rats (Rattus rattus). The study site was a Hawaiian macadamia nut (Macadamia integrifotia) orchard with a recent history of roof rat feeding damage. The synthetic predator odors were encapsulated in urethane devices secured to tree branches. Mark-recapture data from live-trapping of rats and radio telemetry location data were used to assess behavioral responses of rats to the predator odors. Mark-recapture data indicated that DMDIT and TMT had no effect on capture numbers, reproduction, or body weight of rats. There was some indication that distribution of captures and number of locations relative to treated trees in TMT areas were less than in controls, but this pattern was not significant. The predator odors had no effect on home range or median distance from center of activity (MDIS) of rats as measured by telemetry. There was a trend of increasing values of MDIS on TMT areas in session 1 but not session 2. Overall we could not detect significant differences or consistent trends in responses of rats to DMDIT or TMT in these field trials.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Thomas P. Sullivan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rattus rattus	Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia)	U.S.A. (Hawaii)