Feeding pattern of rodents damaging wheat field in Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan

This study is carried out at District Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan from December 2018 to May
2019 lengthening over a period of 6 months of winter during which the cultivation of wheat 
takes place. The feeding habits of the 3 rodent species (Bandicota bengalensis, Millardia
meltada and Mus spp.) were observed in order check for the damage these rodent species
cause to the agricultural fields, particularly wheat. A total of one 695 specimens were gathered
for this experiment including 213 members from Bandicota bengalensis, 391 members from
Millardia  Meltada and  91  rodents  belonging  to Mus  sp. The  rodents  were  captured  on  the 
basis of twice per month traps during the study period. These rodents were collected from the
wheat fields of District Khanewal and its nearby areas through snap trap method. After their
collection, autopsy was carried out on these animals and their stomachs were preserved in
10% formalin and were later observed to record different type of food these animals have
taken. 20 species of plants and some insect species were used as the reference material. The 
results showed the high dependence of both Bandicota Bengalensis and Millardia meltada on
wheat,  as  the  reproductive  part  of  wheat  was  specifically  preferred  (74.7%  and  55.1%
respectively) by the individuals of these species. The vegetative part of the wheat was also
favored by the members of Bandicota bengalensis during the pre-flowering (36.4%) and
flowering  stage  (27.9%).  However,  it  was  observed  that  the  individuals  related  to Mus spp.
showed a changed trend as their major diet portion consisted of insects and  wheat was
consumed in a much lesser amount as the vegetative parts of the wheat were not at all eaten by
these  rodents.  So,  Bandicota  bengalensis  and  Millardia  Meltada  were  the  main  culprits
damaging the wheat fields and leading to contamination and an overall reduced crop yield.