Field evaluations of a systemic flea control insecticide in Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parvidens)

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Epizootic outbreaks of plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis have dramatically impacted prairie dog (Cynomys sp.) populations across North America. The Utah prairie dog (C. parvidens) is listed as a federally threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Flea control can stop the spread of plague epizootic outbreaks and even increase prairie dog survival under non-epizootic conditions. Currently, the most widely used prairie dog flea control pesticide is Deltamethrin. The application of Deltamethrin is extremely labor-intensive and costly. In addition, Deltamethrin is not a flea-specific insecticide. This opportunity would investigate a newly-developed systemic flea control imidacloprid bait that could potentially reduce flea loads, increase prairie dog survival, and mitigate the risk of plague outbreaks within prairie dog colonies. The efficacy of this product for controlling flea abundance in the wild, application rates/methodologies, bait acceptance and how long the product depresses flea abundance require investigation.Goals and Objectives1. To evaluate the effectiveness of imidacloprid oral flea control baits in reducing flea abundance and prevalence on wild prairie dogs.2. To evaluate the length of effect of imidacloprid oral flea control baits on depressing flea abundance and prevalence on wild prairie dogs. 3. To evaluation potential broad-scale application strategies for utilizing the systemic flea control baits on wild prairie dog populations.TasksConduct research in 2009 and 2010, to include application of the bait at study sites, and capture and monitor prairie dogs and their flea loads within sampling plots at monthly intervals for each month up to 4 months post-treatment.Additional funding is based on availability of funds.

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