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

En – AGROVOC descriptors

RODENTS; SARCOCYSTIS; PROTOZOA; RODENT; CONTROL; PEST CONTROL

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