An investigation of the rat pest problem in Queensland canefields: 2. Species and general habits

Abstract

Eleven Murid species are recorded from northern and/or central Queensland canefields. Five species are associated with damage to sugarcane. Rattus conatus is the most important economic rat pest of cane, owing to its ability to sustain mass attacks. Melomys littoralis is the second in importance; in some years when the greater proportion of the effect on cane is of a nuisance order only this is the species mainly responsible. The status of M. cervinipes as a pest of cane is indefinite, as its real distribution in years of heavy rat populations is not known. Rattus rattus and R. Culmorum are of little direct economic importance.