Novel grass–endophyte associations reduce the feeding behaviour of invasive European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

BACKGROUND: Small mammalian herbivores can have significant unwanted impacts on agriculture and horticulture and can attract birds of prey to airports, increasing the risk of bird strike. Elite ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars associated with selected Epichloë endophytes, originally developed for bird management at airports, were assessed for their deterrent properties towards invasive European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.). RESULTS: Caged rabbits had significantly lower consumption rates when offered pellets containing endophyte-infected grass seed compared to pellets containing endophyte-free grass seed. In field plots grazed by wild rabbits, plots composed of novel endophyte-infected grass associations had significantly less herbage consumed than the equivalent grass cultivars that were endophyte-free. The mechanism behind this deterrence observed in rabbits is postulated to be post-ingestion feedback associated with grass-endophyte secondary metabolites. CONCLUSION: These novel grass-endophyte associations have great potential for deterring problem wildlife at airports and other amenity areas.