Bats are among the most diverse and important species on our planet. They are the second largest mammal order, behind rodents, and account for one fifth of all mammal species. This large proportion of species, is due to their ability to occupy every continent and ecological niche, excluding only the polar regions.
They are the only mammal capable of true self flight and can use a mode of navigation and predation called, echolocation. They hold so much importance for our lives through insect pest predation, pollination, and the potential for immortality!
Bats and Our Food
With the ever increasing world population and therefore the increase in food consumption, protection of crops and understanding of wildlife and agriculture interaction is pivotal. World land use for agriculture is estimated at around 40% (71.5% for Ireland), therefore interaction between bats and agriculture is not only expected but extremely important.
World land use for agriculture is estimated at around 40% (71.5% for Ireland)
Globally insects cause crop losses of up to 18%, which is valued at $470 billion per year. The majority of bats feed on insects, in Europe for example all species of bats feed on insects with the exception of one – the Egyptian fruit bat. These bat species are particularly important in their role as a “natural insecticide”.
Bats are highly sociable in nature and forage for their food in large groups, which adds to their pest reduction value. Of the insects the most important pests come from the Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) and Coleoptera (Beetles) orders.
A study from Indiana in the US found a single colony of 150 big brown bats consumed 1.3 million insect pests per year, with the majority being beetles. While another study in Europe showed that pest species were consumed by 92% of bats they sampled, with the majority being from the Lepidopterans. This wide array of consumption of pest species shows the bats economic importance both for a local and national economy. This economic importance is estimated to be at the very least $3.7 billion per year in savings for US farmers, through the savings in pesticide use.
Bats are also important pollinators of many plants, particularly tropical, such as mango, bananas and agave (the main part of tequila!).
Farming practices are often intensive and damaging to the environment around it. For insistence the pesticides used for crops can end up polluting local water sources, causing algal blooms which can kill fish populations and aquatic invertebrates.
In the EU alone it is estimated that 60% of water bodies are not ‘healthy’. Therefore the reduction of pesticide use is extremely necessary to help maintain a healthy ecosystem. One way is the conservation of natural pesticide species such as bats which have been shown to consume a multitude of pest species. With the growing demand for organic products, valued at $325 billion by 2025 (€200 million in Ireland), the need for species such as bats will become ever-increasing for farmers to combat pest species.
Bats and Us
Although bats are one of the most common mammals on the planet they are often forgotten and somewhat feared. This is partly due to their cryptic and nocturnal nature, as well as certain misconceptions (no bats don’t want to attack your hair) and Hollywood and literature portraying them as blood thirsty savages.
Yes, there are three species of vampire bats that feed solely on blood, however they only require a small amount of blood per day (3 tablespoons) and are only found in South America. These fears are often attributed to mythology and folklore. Many cultures associate them with witchcraft, death and darkness, feeding into their sinister reputation.
Bats do not deserve such a reputation, they undertake many thankless jobs which we benefit from. Such as the management of various pests, pollination of important plants and our use of their droppings known as guano (which is rich in nitrates for use as fertiliser).
Live Fast Die Old?
The secret to ever lasting life may be hidden in a bats DNA, specifically bats from the genus Myotis. Generally with mammals a larger species will live longer than a smaller one. There are some exceptions to this rule, bats being one of them. One species, Brandt’s bat, has an exceptionally long lifespan of up to 41 years old, despite only weighing 4.5g – 9.5g. There are also several other species that have been recorded to live over 30 years of age.
The reason for this longevity lies within their DNA, in particular their telomeres which protect the ends of the chromosomes. As human cells divide the telomeres that protect the chromosomes shorten, this shortening leads to the ends of the chromosomes not being copied.This process ultimately drives ageing and leads age related diseases such as certain cancers. A protein called “telomerase” helps maintain telomeres and allowing for more cell division, it is also abundant in cancer cells allowing for unrestricted cell growth.
A study carried out by Professor Emma Teeling in UCD, discovered that two species of Myotis bats use two DNA repair genes instead to protect their telomeres, avoiding the over use of telomerase. This may help explain the relative low cancer rates in bats, as well as their incredibly long lifespan. Although immortality may be still out of reach, our friend Myotis can help us understand the ageing process and the diseases which come with it.
Bats and Viruses
Unfortunately bats have become associated with disease and viruses. Most recently the COVID – 19 pandemic. Although there is some merit to these fears, with bats being natural reservoirs for certain viruses (such as rabies and Marburg). However the majority of the time the viruses can be traced to other animals and poor human practice.
- Ebola – was linked to several bat species in West Africa, this was deemed likely untrue due to lack of active Ebola virus present in bats tested. It was more likely due to contact with carcasses of wild animals.
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome – thought to have been transferred by the Egyptian tomb bat due to one individual carrying a piece of viral DNA found in a MERS patient. However most cases have been traced to camels.
- COVID 19 – it is unsure whether this strain of SARS virus was transferred from bats to humans. Initially it was thought to have passed from bats to us, due to a previous SARS virus being passed into humans. However studies have shown that pangolins, the worlds most trafficked animal, may be the source of the virus.
A common theme in the how these viruses jump from animals to humans, is our consistent mismanagement of animals. Whether it be from the devastating illegal wildlife trade, the poor conditions of domesticated animals, habitat loss which pushes wildlife and humans closer together, or just lack of information for communities.
The animal does not deserve to be persecuted, as it is often our poor practices which condemn ourselves and leaves human populations vulnerable. Instead we need to learn about the spreading of the animal-borne viruses and how we can better protect ourselves from future spreading of such viruses.
Bat Threats
Approximately 18% of bat species are threatened worldwide. A few of these threats are:
- Habitat Loss – Bats habitats are being constantly destroyed or fragmented throughout the world. This removes feeding areas for the bats and also leads to more contact with human populations.
- Climate Change – Unpredictable weather patterns and seasonal fluctuations are having a significant affect on bat populations. Disruptions to their hibernation and decimation of insect populations are causing rapid declines in bat numbers.
- White Nose Syndrome – A fungal disease which is spreading through cave-dwelling bats species in North America. It has spread across almost the entire country and killing up to 90% of some species.
What we can do
- Protect roosting sites such as old sheds, barns and buildings. Some species of bats shelter in these old buildings and can provide protection of your garden/land from insect pests!
- Bat boxes are an important artificial roosting site for bats where there is a lack of sites available. They are relatively cheap and governments offer subsidy programmes for farmers who can put these boxes up on their land.
- Seek professional help or contact the local bat charity to safely remove a bat from your home.
- Avoid pesticides. Pesticides artificially remove insects and the major food source for many bat species. As well as polluting water sources, another important feeding ground for bats and many other animal species.
- Speak up! Bats are misunderstood and often feared creatures. Talk about their importance for the environment and the misconceptions that surround them. Become an ambassador for our important flying mammal friends.
Important Resources
- The secret of the bat genome TedXTalk by Professor Emma Teeling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5yCT5DMXO0
- For people reading in Ireland https://www.batconservationireland.org/ is a great website and charity which gives excellent knowledge and advice on bats in Ireland and in general.
- Paper published in Science magazine on bats importance in agriculture https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50939997_Economic_Importance_of_Bats_in_Agriculture
- National Geographic video of why we shouldn’t fear bats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6e_qh3YRPs
