Abstract:

Objective Rodent infestation monitoring is the foundation for rodent management in farmlands. The current study is to evaluate rodent population dynamics in the farmlands in Guangdong province, China, to compare the rodent density indices reflected by different methods, and to provide important baseline data for population management. Methods The rodent trace method and night trapping method were successively used to determine the rodent densities in the sampling areas. Rodent trace method: Two test lines were set along the irrigation channel or ridge, with a distance of more than 50 m in between; 50 mud stations (20 cm×20 cm) were set at a gap of 5 m on each test line. Night trapping method: Three hundred traps were set at night in each month; the distance between two traps was 5 m, and the distance between two test lines was more than 50 m; these traps were placed at night and collected in the morning of the next day. Results In the farmlands in Guangdong, the annual fluctuation in the density of rodent pests presented a bimodal pattern, and there were two peaks (in August and December) and two valleys (in September and February-March) every year. The capture rate, positive rate of rodent traces, and rodent trace index reflected the fluctuation in rodent population well and showed a significant linear positive correlation between each other; the linear regression equations were as follows: capture rate (Y)-positive rate of rodent traces (X): Y=0.115X＋1.119; capture rate (Y)-rodent trace index (X): Y=0.333X-1.078; positive rate of rodent traces (Y)-rodent trace index (X): Y=2.766X-16.332. Conclusion Night trapping method and rodent trace method have different advantages in the assessment of rodent populations in Guangdong farmlands and should be selected strategically according to specific circumstances.

Key words: Investigation of rodents, Night trapping method, Rodent trace method

摘要：

目的 鼠情监测是农区鼠害防控的基础，调查广东省农田害鼠种群数量的消长动态，并对不同方法反映的鼠密度指标进行分析比较，为科学灭鼠提供重要依据。方法 先后采用鼠迹法和夹夜法调查样区鼠密度。鼠迹法：沿排灌渠或田埂设置2条调查线，调查线之间间隔50 m以上，在调查线上每隔5 m设置20 cm×20 cm的泥台，每条路线各设50个泥台；夹夜法：每月布放300夹夜，夹距5 m，夹线间距50 m以上，鼠夹晚放晨收。结果 广东省农田害鼠全年鼠密度变化呈双峰型，每年出现2个高峰期和2个低谷期，8月和12月为高峰期，9月和2－3月为低谷期；捕获率、鼠迹阳性率和鼠迹指数均能很好地反映鼠类种群数量的消长趋势，且相互间具有显著的线性正相关关系，线性回归方程分别为捕获率（Y）－鼠迹阳性率（X）：Y=0.115X＋1.119、捕获率（Y）－鼠迹指数（X）：Y=0.333X－1.078、鼠迹阳性率（Y）－鼠迹指数（X）：Y=2.766X－16.332。 结论 夹夜法和鼠迹法在广东省农区鼠情调查中各有优势，应根据具体情况选择使用。

关键词: 鼠情调查, 夹夜法, 鼠迹法