Recipient Organization
GENESIS LABORATORIES, INC.
10122 NE Frontage Rd
WELLINGTON,CO 80549
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Nutria (Myocastor coypus) has been listed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group as being one of the top 100 worst invasive species in the world. Nutria herbivory in Louisiana and in other areas has been documented on bald cypress, Sagittaria latifolia and S. platyphylla, Spartina patens and S. alterniflora, and many other species of marsh vegetation. As a whole, vegetative biomass is decreasing and plant species composition is changing due to nutria herbivory. Since nutria are a major problem in Louisiana and control is warranted, the purpose of this phase I proposal is to develop a bait for the control of nutria
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The objective of the project will be the development and testing of a palatable and efficacious bait to control nutria. This will involve the toxicological screening of various active ingredients used in rodenticides and their inherent ability to kill nutria. Various non-toxic formulations will be field-pen tested to isolate a final base formula. After adding the proposed active ingredients to the base formulation, the test formulas will be screened for palatability and efficacy. A general formula will be developed that nutria find palatable. This may involve various types of paraffin, polymers, preservatives, antioxidants, and inert ingredients. A final mixing procedure will be conducted to add the buoyancy properties to the respective formula. The degradation rate of bait can also be modified according to the type and amount of preservatives used in the formula. A current fish food formula was tested for its buoyancy properties. It retained its buoyancy for 6 days,
and can be modified to extend the floating duration. After a palatable formula is developed, the active ingredients will be added to the formula and then tested. They will include diphacinone, cholecalciferol, and zinc phosphide. These studies will be conducted in field pens. The toxicity and total consumption will be evaluated to determine palatability, efficacy, and possible non-target toxicity.
Project Methods
It is the goal of Phase I research to set a precedent for nutria control by developing a novel bait. Genesis will evaluate the three potential active ingredients (rodenticides) during the pen testing for palatability, efficacy, and possible non-target toxicity. Only nutria will be used for the test system, as surrogate species may have alternate taste affinities. The primary goal of Phase I is Proof of Concept. The following criteria must be met: 1. We have already verified that we can achieve a formulation that can be buoyant for up to 6 days until it begins to degrade. According to Dick Mommer of Uniscope, the final process can produce buoyancy with any grain, meat byproduct, or other ingredient as well as adding preservatives and inert compounds to retain the active ingredient in the formula. We are confident that nutria will consume such floating bait since they are curious in behavior, climb onto bait rafts, consume exotic foods (such as carrots with zinc
phosphide), and routinely feed on floating vegetation. 2. A non-toxic bait formulation (base formula) must be palatable with an acceptance of 33% during a 3-day choice test compared to a normal nutria diet of one of the preferred grasses. Acceptance is defined as: bait consumed/consumption of bait + challenge diet * 100 = percentage acceptance. 3. Toxicants will be added to the base formula to again evaluate palatability and efficacy. However, only a 1-day choice-test will be conducted. From this testing, we will determine a likely candidate compound.