COS 49-3 - CANCELLED - Insect migrations and the ecology, behavior and population dynamics of bats

Abstract: Insectivorous bats consume a huge diversity of prey, with patterns in prey consumption resulting from bat responses to the ecology and availability of insects. Insect migrations involve huge spatial and temporal inputs of energy and nutrients that provide dietary bonanzas for bats. For example, in Texas, USA, pulses of noctuid moths migrate north from Mexico over Tadarida brasiliensis colonies before local moths are abundant. In autumn, southward migrating moths again pass over the area after local moths are in diapause, when bats are at their lowest annual body mass and need to fuel their own migration. Bats modify their foraging behavior to seek out these migratory moths, by flying at higher altitudes when the moths are flying, and by adjusting their echolocation calls when foraging aloft and at ground level. Although insect migrations are often predictable, overlap with major life history features of bats, and significantly influence bat ecology, behavior, and population dynamics, insect migrations have received little notice from bat biologists. Correspondingly, despite the ubiquity, scale, and ecological significance of insect migrations, the migratory behavior of most insects remains poorly understood. Insectivorous bats can provide crucial information on insect movements. Because many migratory insects are agricultural pests, this information is important to crop protection and a better understanding of the ecosystem services of bats. We present the needs and opportunities for productive research collaboration between insect migration researchers and bat ecologists