Prey Selection by Myotis lucifugus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Abstract

Prey selection by little brown bats (M. lucifugus) was investigated by comparing the kinds and numbers of insects ingested with the populations of insects present near the feeding bats. Insects were sampled with a large-volume suction trap. None of 9 bats collected during their 1st feeding bout on 6 nights had fed randomly. Eight of the bats fed heavily on mayflies (81%-100% of all insects eaten), despite the fact that these insects accounted for 3.6% or less of the volant insect populations sampled. M. lucifugus can be highly selective in its hunting.