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Bat diversity boosts ecosystem services: Evidence from pine processionary moth predation.
A M Augusto1, H Raposeira2, P Horta2
1ICS, Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Aníbal de Bettencourt, 9, 1600-189 Lisboa, Portugal.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 18, 2023
Summary
Bats help control invasive pine processionary moths in European forests. Higher bat diversity and abundance correlate with increased moth consumption, offering a sustainable pest management solution.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Forestry
Background:
- Coniferous forests face decline due to the invasive pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), with climate change exacerbating impacts.
- Conventional pesticide use for control poses risks to public health and the environment.
- Sustainable forest management seeks to leverage natural pest control agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the role of bats in suppressing pine processionary moth populations.
- To investigate how bat community composition and abundance influence moth consumption.
- To inform integrated pest management strategies in forestry.
Main Methods:
- Bat populations were sampled in Serra da Estrela, Portugal.
- Faecal samples were collected for DNA meta-barcoding analysis to determine diet.
- Relationships between bat richness, abundance, diet, and moth consumption frequency were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Sites with higher bat species richness and abundance showed greater pine processionary moth consumption.
- Moth consumption intensity was independent of overall insect diversity at a site.
- Pine processionary moth DNA was most frequent in diets of bat species foraging in cluttered habitats.
Conclusions:
- Bat communities play a significant role in regulating pine processionary moth populations.
- Forest-dwelling bat species specializing in Lepidoptera, using short-range echolocation and gleaning, are key predators.
- Findings support the use of bats as a natural biological control agent in integrated pest management for pine forests.
Keywords:
Ecosystem servicesForest batsForest managementGuildsPest suppressionThaumetopoea pityocampaMore Related Videos
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