Bats increased foraging activity at experimental prey patches near hibernacula

1. Emerging infectious diseases in wildlife can threaten vulnerable host populations. Actions targeting habitat improvements to aid population resilience and recovery may be beneficial long-term strategies, yet testing the efficacy of such strategies before major conservation investments are made can be challenging.
2. The disease White-nose Syndrome (WNS) has caused severe declines in several species of North American hibernating bats. We tested a novel conservation approach targeted at improving foraging conditions near bat hibernacula by experimentally manipulating insect density in the pre-hibernation fattening period and spring emergence recovery period. We measured foraging (feeding buzzes) and echolocation activity of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) at ultraviolet (UV) light lures to determine behavioral response to augmented foraging conditions and characterized insect availability at UV light lures.
3. In the fall, bat foraging activity was 3 times greater (95% CI: 1.5–5.8..., ,