Development of Non-prey Baits for Delivery of Acetaminophen to Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam. Version 3
Abstract
Dead neonatal mice (DNM) are the bait substrate for delivery of acetaminophen to brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis, BTS) on Guam. Acetaminophen is a registered oral toxicant for BTS. DNM serve as a lure attractant and are well accepted by snakes; however, for logistic and economic reasons, it is necessary to develop an effective bait substrate to replace DNM. The objective of this project is to evaluate extracts from aged DNM that when applied to non-prey baits will enhance the bait take (consumption) by BTS. Technical Approach: Decomposition products from DNM carcasses aged for 48 h in an environmental chamber and in headspace volatiles from DNM aged for 24 h and 48 h were fractionated and chemicals in the fractions were characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Beef and Pup-Peroni, a commercial dog food snack (used as surrogates for non-prey food items) were treated with formulations of these chemical extracts and decomposition products from 48h aged DNM. These substrates were then evaluated as bait enhancers for BTS under field conditions on Guam. Solvent extracts from DNM carcasses aged for 48 h applied to beef baits also were evaluated as bait take enhancers. Results: In this study 29 chemicals were identified from the decomposition products of DNM carcasses aged for 48 h. Three chemical extract formulations and decomposition products from these 48h aged DNM were evaluated as bait enhancers for BTS. Each of the three extracts tested contained three to seven chemicals that represented fatty acids and volatile organic chemicals. None of the beef baits treated with the three chemical extract formulations from 48h aged DNM enhanced consumption of treated beef baits. In addition, volatile chemical recipes from 24h and 48h aged DNM were not effective bait enhancers. Beef and the commercial dog food snack were treated with decomposition products from 48h aged DNM. Treated beef consumption was enhanced, but not the treated dog food snack.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA581124
Entities
People
- Peter J. Savarie
Organizations
- United States Department of Agriculture