RADIOTELEMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF HORTICULTURAL PRACTICES ON PINE AND MEADOW VOLES IN APPLE ORCHARDS: II. HERBICIDE APPLICATION

Authors

Dale M. Madison, State University of New York at Binghamton
Ralph E. Pagano, State University of New York at Binghamton
Randall W. FitzGerald, State University of New York at Binghamton

Date of this Version

March 1982

Comments

Published in Proceedings of the Sixth Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposium, Harpers Ferry, WV, March 10-12, 1982, Ross E. Byers, editor. Copyright © 1982 Madison, Pagano, and FitzGerald.

Abstract

Pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were studied in a commercial apple orchard in the Hudson Valley of New York during April and May 1981. Selected voles were given miniature radio transmitters and then tracked before and after herbicide application. A total of eight pine and meadow voles were tracked throughout the experimental period. Home range size decreased on the day following herbicide application but showed an increase from day 1 to day 5 & 7 after application. Movements away from the tree line into the aisles did not change significantly after herbicide use. We conclude that if herbicide is to have a significant impact on vole management in orchards, it must be used regularly in conjunction with other cultural practices.