Spatial and temporal variation in New Hampshire bat diets

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Zoology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Insectivorous bat diets are diverse but incompletely understood, especially in North America.
• Declining bat and insect populations highlight the need to study foraging variability for conservation.
• Understanding local prey consumption is vital for effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess spatial and temporal variations in the diet of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus).
• To provide a comprehensive evaluation of local foraging patterns in New Hampshire, USA.

Main Methods:

• Collected 899 bat guano samples from 20 sites over 2 years.
• Utilized molecular metabarcoding of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene to identify prey.
• Analyzed sequence data to determine arthropod prey composition.

Main Results:

• Coleoptera (92%), Diptera (73%), and Lepidoptera (65%) were the most frequent prey orders.
• White grubs (Phyllophaga, 50%) and Asiatic Garden beetle (Maladera castanea, 36%) were commonly detected pests.
• Diet composition showed significant spatial and temporal variation, with consistent species richness.

Conclusions:

• Little brown bats exhibit dietary flexibility, adapting to locally available prey resources.
• Seasonal peaks and spatial differences in diet underscore the dynamic nature of bat foraging.
• These findings are essential for developing targeted conservation efforts for North American bats.