Notes on the diet of reproductively active male rafinesque's big-eared bats

Abstract

Using fecal samples, we examined the diet of five reproductively active male Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) from the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina during August and September, 1999. Diets of these individuals in upland pine stands were similar to diets of Rafinesque's bigeared bats in bottomland a:nd upland hardwood habitats. Although fecal samples contained three insect orders-Diptera (flies), Homoptera (aphids, cicadas, and hoppers), and Lepidoptera (moths)-the diet consisted primarily of lepidopterans (99.4% :± 0.4%).

Citation

Menzel, Michael; Carter, Timothy C.; Menzel, Jennifer  M.; Edwards, John W.; Ford, W. Mark. 2002. Notes on the diet of reproductively active male rafinesque's big-eared bats. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science. 118(1): 50-53.