Study on habitat ecology and burrow structure of Bandicota bengalensis in groundnut

Abstract

The Lesser Bandicoot rat is the most dreaded vertebrate pest of Groundnut. The study on habitat burrow ecology of B. bengalensis in groundnut was carried out during both during Kharif and summer of 2012-13 in groundnut crop at Thagachuguppey village, Magadi Taluk of Ramanagara District of Karnataka state. The study indicated that mean diameters of burrow opening of B. bengalensis, was 6.10±0.74 and that of side tunnels was 3.36±1.01cm. The maximum depth of the burrow was 89 cm and total length was 753 cm for B. bengalensis species.