19
Feb
Bats in Organic Agriculture: Precision Foraging as Pest Management
(Beyond Pesticides, February 19, 2025) In Global Ecology and Conservation, a study of bat species in organic desert date palm plantations highlights the invaluable ecosystem services these beneficial organisms provide. “Bats are crucial in suppressing pest arthropods in agroecosystems, contributing vitally to sustainable agriculture,†the study authors share, which makes supporting bat populations important not just for biodiversity but to help enhance their roles in pest management.  Â
There are various studies connecting organic agriculture and the value it provides for bats and their ecosystem services. (See studies here, here, and here.) While many studies also recognize bat species threatened by pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change, “the importance of bats in agriculture in extreme environments, such as deserts, has received far less attention,†the researchers state. (See previous coverage on pesticide exposure and bats here and here.) They continue, “Date palm plantations represent one of the few productive systems in hyper-arid regions,†noting the study’s novel design.
The date palm, primarily grown throughout the Middle East and North Africa, is one of the earliest domesticated fruit trees. “The date palm cultivation’s monocultural nature increases susceptibility to pest infestations due to limited plant diversity, involving 112 mite and insect species.†Managing these pests effectively is important for crop production, which is where bat species step in to provide an essential service.
Utilizing natural predators for pest management helps shield nontarget organisms from the negative effects of pesticides, while still protecting productivity. “Insectivorous bats are well known for their ability to control arthropod pests in agroecosystems, and there is increasing evidence of the economic benefits this provides, ranging from local to larger scales,†the researchers state. (See studies here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.)
In observing the activity and species richness of bats in an organically managed plantation in Arava Valley, Israel, the authors find: “edge specialist species concentrate their efforts where they are most needed, particularly in areas with higher productivity. This capacity to forage where food is most available is especially pronounced in desert environments, where trophic resources are rare and concentrated at sites such as date palm plantations.â€
Also of note is that, as the researchers say, “Bats in this plantation exhibited higher species richness than in conventionally managed plantations.†This emphasizes how bat species choose to forage on organically managed land and spend their time in areas that benefit most from the pest management services they provide.
Many bat species, such as Eptesicus bottae, Hypsugo ariel, Pipistrellus rueppellii, and Otonycteris hemprichii, have been recorded as effective pest suppressors in date palm plantations since they consume a wide variety of pests. Their diets include different pest moth species, Dubas bug, and spider mites, which all threaten date palms.
“Given their role in natural pest suppression, enhancing conditions for these bats to thrive will likely boost pest control,†the authors point out. They continue: “This highlights the importance of protecting bats beyond the plantation, as most roosts are likely found in nearby rock crevices or buildings. Protecting bats across larger landscapes supports biodiversity conservation and pest suppression, making it a win-win strategy, as shown in studies from temperate regions.â€
Within this study, the authors report: “[A]ll bat species consumed nine of the sixteen known date pest species, highlighting their important role in pest control. This [highlights] the considerable potential of bats in date palm plantations for delivering valuable ecosystem services, making them essential allies in mitigating yield loss from key pests.â€
The bat activity within the organic date palm plantation study site, which spans over 100 hectares, was recorded from July to September 2022. Through acoustic recordings, 13 species were identified as spending the majority of their time in the older, sheltered plots where pest pressure is highest. The results “show that bats concentrate their foraging activity in the most productive areas in date palm plantations, fulfilling their role as effective pest suppressors.â€
The researchers also note species-specific foraging dynamics. “Both total activity and species-level activity of Eptesicus bottae, Hypsugo ariel, Pipistrellus rueppellii, and Pipistrellus kuhlii were highest in these internal, high-stand productive areas, emphasising the precision of bats in delivering ecosystem services,†they say.
Variations in species richness with weather conditions, such as wind, also occur. “Wind may affect foraging bats by reducing prey availability and making flight more difficult and energetically costly,†the authors share. “Understanding the interplay between habitat and wind could help manage the spatial patterning of cultivation to direct bat foraging activity to the most vulnerable areas, enhancing pest control,†they say.
These study results help inform strategies for agricultural land to enhance attraction from bat species. By designing organically managed plantations, with wind buffering and available water sources, critical bat foraging areas can be maintained that promote their vital pest management services. The researchers conclude: “As farming systems evolve, balancing high production with ecological sustainability is crucial. Natural enemy management enhances pest control by promoting beneficial organisms and reducing chemical inputs.â€
As Beyond Pesticides has previously reported, the foraging of bats is highly beneficial to humans. These organisms not only consume mosquitoes that can carry diseases, such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, Zika virus, malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and others, but their management of pests protects millions of dollars in agriculture. As declines in bat populations and other pollinators continue to occur, it is becoming increasingly clear that the ecosystem services provided by bats cannot be adequately replaced by human activities. These species are needed as integral to biodiversity as well as agricultural production.
The path forward to protect beneficial organisms such as bats, along with all wildlife, the environment, and human health, is organic land management. Help support Beyond Pesticides’ mission of transitioning to a world free from toxic pesticides by becoming a member today.
Organic agriculture provides health and environmental benefits while combatting current crises of biodiversity and climate change. Learn more about the impacts of pesticides on health with the Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database and safer alternatives here and here.
All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.
Source:
Russo, D. et al. (2025) Precision foraging: Bats in organic desert palm plantations hunt where it is most needed, Global Ecology and Conservation. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235198942500068X.
Bats have always been our friends and kept pests down to a minimum. Yet here we do the horrible deed of pesticides that not only harm wildlife but us as well. Stop using pesticides. Do the planet a favor.
February 19th, 2025 at 4:24 pm