Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Information concerning hispid pocket gopher (Orthogeomys hispidus hispidus) damage to sugarcane and the efficacy of sodium monofluroacetate (Compound 1080) treatments for control of this pest were obtained for the State of Veracruz, Mexico. Pocket gophers represent one of the major vertebrate pests based on the severity of economic losses caused to the sugarcane industry in this state. Pocket gophers cause significant damage in over 200,000 ha of sugarcane fields. In this study, a total of 66,560 stalks were examined for damage. Total percentage damaged was 20.67. Economic loss caused by pocket gopher was estimated at approximately $951 in one grower processor’s crop based on the 1998-99 price for raw sugar ($25 dollars/ton). Losses due to this pest species are probably underestimated because many sugarcane industries could not or did not provide loss estimates.