Plagues of Microtus arvalis in grassland areas in The Netherlands 1

• Published in: EPPO Bulletin
• Main Author: JOBSEN, J. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1988
• Subjects: Microtus arvalis
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2338.1988.tb00375.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2338.1988.tb00375.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2338.1988.tb00375.x

The Microtus arvalis outbreaks in 1974 and 1980 in the Dutch grassland area of the Alblasserwaard raised doubts about the validity of a theory of the disappearance of the vole plagues developed earlier, in which intensive use of grassland was indicated as the key factor. The meaning of intensive use is analysed and the occurrence of a ‘relative neglect’ in this area is postulated. In recent years, improvements in grassland management have been observed. Land consolidation projects, such as the one in progress in the area at the time of the outbreaks, are generally favourable, but may cause a transitory instability and so even enhance the rise of plagues. It seems that the situation has stabilized, as little damage occurred during the last 2 potential outbreak years. Chemical control is not expected to offer a solution during an outbreak.