Analysis of the diet of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros in the West of Ireland

Abstract

The diet of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros was investigated over one season by analysing faeces and discarded insect fragments collected on polythene sheets at eight roosts. Remains of 23 insect families from seven orders (Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera) and of spiders (Araneae: Arachnida) were identified. Nematoceran Diptera were the chief prey but Lepidoptera, Trichoptera and Neuroptera were also important. Both locational and seasonal variation were demonstrated for some food categories. The predicted seasonal availability of the different insect taxa is broadly reflected in the results: the question of possible prey selection is discussed. The bat fed successfully on three families of Lepidoptera known to possess hearing organs sensitive to bat ultrasounds. The possible mechanisms by which R. hipposideros might catch such prey are reviewed.

Food habits of the barbastelle bat Barbastella barbastellus

“…A relatively high occurrence of moths (20-800/0 by volume) also occurrs in the diets of the gleaning longeared bats of the genus Plecotus (Vespertilionidae; Bauerova 1982, Swift andRacey 1983), the flutterdetecting horseshoe bats of the genus Rhholophus (Rhi-64 nolophidae; McAney andFairley 1989, Jones 1990) and the fast flying aerial-hawking bat Tadarida reniotis (Molossidae; Rydell and Arlettaz 1994). Although these species use different and variable foraging techniques, all rely on prey detection systems which are based either on passive cues, or on highly modified echolocation calls, which consist of frequencies which are virtually inaudible to tympanate insects including most nocturnal moths (Jones andRayner 1989, Anderson andRacey 1991).…”

Activity patterns of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros at summer roosts

“…The extent of feeding outside the two roosts probably simply reflects the availability of insects in the vicinity. In particular, Nematocera, which were known to be an important food from faecal analysis (McAney & Fairley, 1989), could be expected to be more common in the farmyard outside the Ballynacally roost than in the meadow at Newhall. their properties.…”

Habitat preference and overnight and seasonal variation in the foraging activity of lesser horseshoe bats

“…Farmyard would indeed appear to be an additional optimal habitat for the lesser horseshoes. A study of the diet of R. hipposideros in County Clare (McAney & Fairley, 1989) showed that a wide variety of insects was consumed, but nematoceran Diptera appeared in over a third of the faecal pellets examined. The abundance of decaying organic matter in farmyards (and at Tree site (4) at Ballynacally) could well have resulted in a local concentration of Nematocera.…”