A new approach in biological rodent control using a protozoan parasite
Issue Date
10-2009
Abstract
Sarcocystis singaporensis is a parasitic protozoan native to Southeast Asia, which cycles between the reticulated python and rodents of the genera Rattus and Bandicota to sustain its life. Since 2001, a formulation containing live parasites in various life stages is being commercialized for rodent control in various Southeast Asian countries after extensive laboratory studies and data reviews have shown that it is safe for non-target species including barn owls and, at the same time, effective against various economically important rat species. Field tests in rice have been conducted in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia; trials in oil palm have been completed in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. After consumption of highly attractive bait laced with the parasites, mortality of rats in the field usually ranges between 70% and 90%. In rice, a control campaign consisting of two to four applications of the treated baits can reduced fresh rat damage to below 5%. Applications under high rat density situations in oil palm (400-600 rats per ha) have shown that this new control approach can clearly compete with anticoagulant rodenticides, the current standard in rodent control. In the Philippines, field tests are under way in cooperation with PhilRice to demonstrate its potential to local rice farmers. Preliminary data from Mindoro indicate that the bait formulation is effective against rice field rats like in the neighboring countries. The parasite has been found in the wild in Luzon and in Mindanao and can be considered occurring throughout the country.
Source or Periodical Title
Philippine Entomologist
ISSN
0048-3753
Volume
23
Issue
2
Page
179
Document Type
Article
Frequency
semi-annually
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Duque, Ulysses G.; Khoprasert, Yuvaluk; Toan, Pham Van; Ginting, Sulaiman; and Jakel, Thomas, "A new approach in biological rodent control using a protozoan parasite" (2009). Journal Article. 5387.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/5387
En – AGROVOC descriptors
RODENTS; SARCOCYSTIS; PROTOZOA; RODENT; CONTROL; PEST CONTROL