How Much Mosquitoes Do Bats Eat?

Until recently, the answer to the question “how much mosquitoes do bats eat?” was very limited. A single gray bat eats up to 3,000 insects a night. However, the number of insect species that they eat varies by region.

In the 1950s, a lab study found that bats could eat 10 mosquitoes per minute. This number was extrapolated to the numbers of mosquitoes eaten by various bat species. In addition, researchers determined that larger bats did not prefer mosquitoes, and smaller bats ate more mosquitoes.

There is no question that mosquitoes are an important part of our ecosystem. They transmit diseases that can be deadly. They can also leave red itchy welts if they bite. They are one of the most despised insects.

During a period of high mosquito borne disease, natural predators are not effective. This means that bats are an important factor in the suppression of mosquitoes. A new study is investigating the role that bats play in mosquito control.

The scientists placed large netted enclosures in a protected forest area. The insects and the bats were released into the enclosure. They were monitored overnight. The researchers found that the cages with the bats contained 32 percent fewer mosquitoes.

There are over 40 species of bats in North America. There are four species that do not eat insects. But the majority of the species consume bugs and other insects.

The little brown bat, for example, is the most common bat in the United States. They are also found in Canada. This species eats hundreds of different mosquito species.

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