Bats as Natural Crop Dusters

[Bdog]

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/wild/mammals/bats/natcropdusters.htm
"Adult corn earworms / cotton bollworms, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), are part of a mobile pest insect complex which annually infests corn, cotton, and other crops in Texas and the contiguous U.S. Crop infestations by H. zea can significantly decrease crop yield and quality, and can increase crop protection costs. Radar field studies indicate that large populations of H. zea and other noctuid moths migrate from the Lower Rio Grande Valley to Central Texas, and their progeny continue the seasonal progression northward across the central U.S." (John K. Westbrook, USDA, ARS, Areawide Pest Management Research Unit)

"Large numbers of Mexican free-tailed bats Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana in Central Texas fly to the same altitudes and locations as the migratory populations of corn earworms and other pest insects. Doppler radar documents the movements of the large bat populations. Radiomicrophone bat detectors that perceive the ultrasonic echolocation calls of foraging bats reveal high levels of Mexican free-tailed bat feeding activity at altitudes of several 100 to over 1000 m above ground level. Dietary studies at three large central Texas bat roosts show seasonal and daily patterns of moth consumption that are consistent with the hypothesis that these bats prey heavily on the migratory pest insect populations." (Gary F. McCracken, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville)

"To assess the ecological impact of Mexican free-tailed bat populations on insect populations in south-central Texas, a combination of field and laboratory techniques, including gravimetric and fecal analysis, radiotelemetry, and doubly-labeled water, have been used to determine what, when, and how many insects these bats eat nightly. Mexican free-tailed bats typically feed twice nightly, averaging eight hours on the wing each night during lactation. Each female consumes about 9.1 g of insects each night during peak lactation, averaging 73% of her body mass. When averaged over the warm season (April through October), females consume approximately 50% of their body mass each night. Preliminary assessment of diet indicates that coleopterans (beetles) dominate the first feeding period and lepidopterans (moths) dominate the second feeding period." (Thomas H. Kunz, Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology, Boston University)


http://science.howstuffworks.com/bat4.htm
Most bat species are not only harmless to humans, but actually beneficial. Insectivorous bats are far and away the best bug-killers on the planet. The little brown bat, one of the most common North American bat species, can catch and eat as many as 1,200 mosquitoes in one hour. The famous colony of Mexican free-tail bats that lives underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas, will eat up to 30,000 pounds of insects in a single night. A Mexican free-tail colony in Bracken Cave, Texas, containing more than 20 million bats, will eat roughly 200 tons of insects in a night. These bats, and many other species, feed on insects that destroy crops, providing an invaluable service to farmers.


http://www.reformation.org/campbell.html
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
AUSTIN, TEXAS
H. C. R. No. 26. HOUSE
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Dr. Chas. A. R. Campbell, of San Antonio, has rendered the State of Texas and humanity valuable service in his original and conclusive experiments during the past seventeen years for the eradication of malaria by the cultivation of bats, the natural enemy of mosquitoes; and
WHEREAS, the world's greatest Sanitarian, Gen. W. C. Gorgas, the Board of Health of the State of Texas, the San Antonio Medical Society, and other sections have given this natural hygienic measure their unqualified endorsement; and
WHEREAS, the Italian Government has given special recognition to his work and distinguished service as well as other foreign countries; and,
WHEREAS, the colossal economic loss caused by malaria is sufficient to warrant the State and Nation in giving this natural hygienic measure full encouragement; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature of the State of Texas, endorse the work of Dr. Chas. A. R. Campbell in his original and thoroughly scientific work, and respectfully suggest and commend his name as worthy of the greatest reward for the service of humanity, a Nobel Prize.

R. E. THOMASON,
Speaker of the House.
W. A. JOHNSON,
President of the Senate.

Hauling the 1918 Mitchell's Lake Bat Roost
Guano crop to market -- 4012 pounds.


4 year old Pecan tree fertilized with bat guano

[silverweb]

1. Very cool!

:thumbsup:

[NJCher]

2. kitty entertainment

My cat loves to watch the bats skim the surface of the pool as they pick up insects. They are unbelievably fast. They go back and forth, back and forth, swoosh, swoosh!

Of course they would love to catch a bat but they are too fast. We laugh at her and say, "You wish!"

One of my favorite things about summertime.

BTW, in case you didn't know, bat guano is the creme de la creme of soil additives after it's composted.


Cher

[Bdog]

4. Yes, bat guano=$$$

Bat guano retails for about $4 to $3 a pound.

4,000 lb of bat guano has a retail value of $16,000 to $12,000

Of course, if you purchase more than one pound, the cost goes down.

[Bdog]

3. Bat Condo

http://www.batmanagement.com/Ordering/condos/batcondo.html
BCM can provide advisory and/or construction assistance to communities, organizations, and private individuals that are interested in the installation of a large 8'x8'x8' Bat Condo.

This condo can house an estimated 7,000 mother bats and their young. This house is designed to shelter bats that are slowly but surely being excluded from remodeled, old houses in the community. Use of this type of structure has the potential to reduce the problem created when displaced bats seek refuge in other nearby human-occupied houses.