Synergistic effect of an ultraviolet feeding cue for an avian repellent and protection of agricultural crops

Werner, Scott J.; DeLiberto, Shelagh T.; Pettit, Susan E.; Mangan, Anna M.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2014.06.012

Cited by 13 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…However, products which pair a negative consequence with a UV cue could be useful in conditioning woodpecker avoidance of treated substrates. In behavioral tests with Red-winged Blackbirds, a UV-absorptive cue paired with 9, 10-anthraquinone (a UV-absorptive compound with negative post-ingestive consequences) showed a synergistic effect in feeding repellency [43]. Since the woodpeckers' response to the UV condition of experimental substrates mirrored that of Redwinged Blackbirds, we speculate that Pileated Woodpeckers would demonstrate a similar avoidance response toward a post-ingestive repellent paired with a UV cue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Functional visual sensitivity to ultraviolet wavelengths in the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and its influence on foraging substrate selection

O'Daniels

Kesler

Mihail

et al. 2017

Physiology & Behavior

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Most diurnal birds are presumed visually sensitive to near ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, however, controlled behavioral studies investigating UV sensitivity remain few. Although woodpeckers are important as primary cavity excavators and nuisance animals, published work on their visual systems is limited. We developed a novel foraging-based behavioral assay designed to test UV sensitivity in the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). We acclimated 21 wild-caught woodpeckers to foraging for frozen mealworms within 1.2 m sections of peeled cedar (Thuja spp.) poles. We then tested the functional significance of UV cues by placing frozen mealworms behind UV-reflective covers, UV-absorptive covers, or decayed red pine substrates within the same 1.2 m poles in independent experiments. Behavioral responses were greater toward both UV-reflective and UV-absorptive substrates in three experiments. Study subjects therefore reliably differentiated and attended to two distinct UV conditions of a foraging substrate. Cue-naïve subjects showed a preference for UV-absorptive substrates, suggesting that woodpeckers may be pre-disposed to foraging from such substrates. Behavioral responses were greater toward decayed pine substrates (UV-reflective) than sound pine substrates suggesting that decayed pine can be a useful foraging cue. The finding that cue-naïve subjects selected UV-absorbing foraging substrates has implications for ecological interactions of woodpeckers with fungi. Woodpeckers transport fungal spores, and communication methods analogous to those of plant-pollinator mutualisms (i.e. UV-absorbing patterns) may have evolved to support woodpecker-fungus mutualisms.Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Functional visual sensitivity to ultraviolet wavelengths in the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and its influence on foraging substrate selection

O'Daniels

Kesler

Mihail

et al. 2017

Physiology & Behavior

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“…For example, feather δ 2 H and δ 13 C isoscapes can support field investigations regarding the conservation and management of blackbirds. Field efficacy trials of non-lethal chemical repellents can be enhanced by understanding the movements of blackbirds following repellent applications for the protection of agricultural crops [14]. Similarly, investigations regarding the net impacts to agricultural crop production, feeding ecology during the nonbreeding season and aspects of physiology related to migration [2] can be enhanced by an understanding of the movements and habits of blackbirds at appropriate spatial scales.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With regard to overabundant species and the management of agricultural depredation caused by some wild birds, an understanding of the molt origin, immigration and emigration of red-winged blackbirds collected near sunflower and rice production would enable interstate coordination of ongoing and planned damage management (e.g. application of non-lethal chemical repellents throughout the rice-growing region of the Mid-south) [14]. The objectives of this study were to use δ 2 H, δ 13 C and δ 15 N measurements to better understand the molt origins, and the C3 and C4 food habits of blackbirds near sunflower production in the Upper Midwest and rice production in the Mid-South of the United States.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Isotopic (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N) Tracing of Molt Origin for Red-Winged Blackbirds Associated with Agro-Ecosystems

Werner

Hobson

Wilgenburg³

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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We analyzed stable-hydrogen (δ2H), carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ 15N) isotope ratios in feathers to better understand the molt origin and food habits of Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) near sunflower production in the Upper Midwest and rice production in the Mid-South of the United States. Outer primary feathers were used from 661 after-second-year (ASY) male blackbirds collected in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota (spring collection), and Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas (winter collection). The best-fit model indicated that the combination of feather δ2H, δ13C and δ15N best predicted the state of sample collections and thus supported the use of this approach for tracing molt origins in Red-winged Blackbirds. When considering only birds collected in spring, 56% of birds were classified to their collection state on the basis of δ2H and δ13C alone. We then developed feather isoscapes for δ13C based upon these data and for δ2H based upon continental patterns of δ2H in precipitation. We used 81 birds collected at the ten independent sites for model validation. The spatially-explicit assignment of these 81 birds to the δ2H isoscape resulted in relatively high rates (~77%) of accurate assignment to collection states. We also modeled the spatial extent of C3 (e.g. rice, sunflower) and C4 (corn, millet, sorghum) agricultural crops grown throughout the Upper Midwest and Mid-South United States to predict the relative use of C3- versus C4-based foodwebs among sampled blackbirds. Estimates of C3 inputs to diet ranged from 50% in Arkansas to 27% in Minnesota. As a novel contribution to blackbird conservation and management, we demonstrate how such feather isoscapes can be used to predict the molt origin and interstate movements of migratory blackbirds for subsequent investigations of breeding biology (e.g. sex-specific philopatry), agricultural depredation, feeding ecology, physiology of migration and sensitivity to environmental change.

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“…Furthermore, the addition of other chemicals, colors, or ultraviolet cues to anthraquinone applications could also increase its repellency, potentially allowing for the use of lower concentrations of anthraquinone. This approach has shown promise for voles and various bird species and warrants further study (Clapperton et al 2012;Werner et al 2014aWerner et al , 2016). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The elusive search for an effective repellent against voles: an assessment of anthraquinone for citrus crops

Baldwin

Meinerz

Witmer³

et al. 2018

J Pest Sci

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Vole (Cricetidae) girdling of tree trunks is a common form of damage experienced by tree and vine growers throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. Management programs that effectively incorporate chemical repellents and vegetation management would be of substantial assistance to growers that experience such damage. Anthraquinone has proven effective as a repellent against voles in lab trials, yet controlled field tests of combined anthraquinone and vegetation management programs are lacking. Therefore, we established a mesocosm-based study in central California, USA, to test the efficacy of anthraquinone and vegetation management for reducing girdling damage caused by California voles Microtus californicus to Clementine citrus trees Citrus clementine under semi-field conditions. We observed a 90-100% reduction in girdling damage for trees following a single application of anthraquinone during two trials in summer and spring, respectively. Removal of vegetation around the base of trees further reduced damage during the summer sampling period, with no girdling observed on anthraquinone-treated trees that were surrounded by bare soil. We did not observe this same relationship during spring, and we observed no relationship between vegetation management in the absence of anthraquinone treatments in either seasonal trial, suggesting that vegetation management had a lesser impact on vole girdling than anthraquinone applications. We observed no decrease in efficacy of anthraquinone across the duration of both sampling periods (5-6 weeks), indicating substantial longevity for anthraquinone. Anthraquinone appears to have substantial utility for minimizing vole girdling damage. Field testing is warranted for additional mammalian species to determine potential uses for other taxa.

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Synergistic effect of an ultraviolet feeding cue for an avian repellent and protection of agricultural crops

Abstract: effect of an ultraviolet feeding cue for an avianrepellent and protection of agricultural crops" (2014).

Cited by 13 publications

References 33 publications

Functional visual sensitivity to ultraviolet wavelengths in the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and its influence on foraging substrate selection

Functional visual sensitivity to ultraviolet wavelengths in the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and its influence on foraging substrate selection

Multi-Isotopic (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N) Tracing of Molt Origin for Red-Winged Blackbirds Associated with Agro-Ecosystems

The elusive search for an effective repellent against voles: an assessment of anthraquinone for citrus crops

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