Anthraquinone corn seed treatment (Avitec^TM) as a feeding repellent for ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) on newly planted corn in eastern south dakota

Emily A. Hodne, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007

Abstract:  In recent years South Dakota’s ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) populations have increased and, along with it, complaints from agricultural producers regarding pheasant depredation on newly planted and emerging corn have increased.  Heisterberg (1984) estimated that $49 million is lost to pheasant depredation annually in the United States.  Pheasants will consume the kernels of freshly planted and emerging corn plants until the plant reaches the three-leaf stage or the plant is approximately 4 inches tall but may continue until the corn reaches a height of 6-10 inches (Hendrickson and Tellier 1943). 9,10-anthraquinone is a nontoxic, naturally occurring post-ingestional irritant that produces a conditioned taste aversion when the bird experiences illness after consuming the treated kernel and associates the illness with the food (Avery 2003).  Avitec^TM is a 95% anthraquinone repellent that has been approved for emergency use in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan as a seed-corn treatment where Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) have been damaging corn fields by eating the corn seeds shortly after planting.  In 2006, a 2-year study was initiated to determine if Avitec^TM is an effective pheasant repellent to germinating corn seeds.  In 2006, percent corn remaining in fields treated with Avitec^TM was 57.4 ± 13.7; percent corn remaining in control fields was 40.6 ± 13.7.   In 2007, percent corn remaining in fields treated with Avitec^TM was 76.9 ± 2.6; percent corn remaining in non-treated fields was 72.3 ± 2.6; and corn remaining in fields treated with Avitec^TM plus hydrolyzed casein and hydrolyzed collagen to attempt to reduce both pheasant and thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) depredation was 72.4 ± 2.6.  Consumption of Avitec^TM treated corn seed in caged feeding trials when no other feed was available was -0.14 g ± 2.1; consumption of Avitec^TM treated corn seed when non-treated was available was -0.46 g ± 0.68.  Consumption of non-treated corn seed when no other feed was available was 37.4 g ± 4.5; consumption of non-treated corn seed when treated seed was available was 37.2 g ± 4.3.  Avitec^TM showed significant repellency in caged feeding trials and decreased depredation in field trials.  The experimental hydrolyzed casein and collagen may not be effective rodent repellents.  Therefore, using anthraquinone based products may be beneficial in areas where pheasants are the primary cause of damage.

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