Evaluation of Flight Control^TM and Mesurol® as Repellents to Reduce Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) Damage to Lettuce Seedlings

Authors

Darryl L. York, US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Wildlife Research Center
John L. Cummings, US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Richard M. Engeman, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesFollow
James E. Davis Jr., US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Wildlife Research Center

Date of this Version

2000

Comments

Published in Crop Protection 19 (2000) 201-203.

Abstract

We conducted enclosure trials near Huron, CA in the San Joaquin Valley from 12 to 23 January 1999 to determine the efficacy of Flight Control™ (50% anthraquinone) and Mesurol® (75% methiocarb) in preventing horned lark damage to lettuce seedlings. Flight Control™ (FC) and Mesurol® were evaluated as foliar sprays at application rates of 2.79 and 2.27 kg ha^-1, respectively. Homed lark damage to lettuce seedlings treated with antraquinone was greater (p = 0.015) than for rnethiocarb®, 60 versus 20%, respectively, and seedlings in control plots were 100% destroyed. While this level of damage is probably unacceptable to lettuce growers, it should be remembered that the enclosure situation caused an artificially high bird pressure on the crop. Further studies in open fields under a more normal bid pressure are warranted.