Biology subjects

Hurpy, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Hurpy, G..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Bat-mediated pest regulation in understudied pasture agroecosystems

Pastureland provides critical resources for livestock production. Despite the growing knowledge on pest regulating services provided by insectivorous bats, their role in pastureland systems remains understudied. We analysed the diets of four Irish bat species, Plecotus auritus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Myotis nattereri, and Rhinolophus hipposideros, to identify and categorise agricultural pest species based on metabarcoding studies in the pastureland rich agro-ecosystems of Ireland. Pest richness varied among bat species, with P. auritus consuming 22 known pest species, 13 in P. pygmaeus, 9 in R. hipposideros, and 7 in M. nattereri. Pest occurrence frequency varied in overall diets: R. hipposideros exhibited the highest (83%), followed by P. auritus (71%), M. nattereri (59%), and P. pygmaeus (32%). Importantly, 26 of the 35 pest species (74%) were consumed by only one bat species. Key pastureland pests, Tipula oleracea and T. paludosa, were detected across all bat species, with frequency of occurrence reaching up to 100% at several roosts. Livestock-associated disease vectors (Culicoides scoticus and C. pulicaris) were also consumed. Differences in diet among species reflect complementary foraging strategies, activity patterns, and habitat use, highlighting the collective role of bat communities in pest regulation. These findings provide additional evidence that insectivorous bats contribute to ecosystem services in pasturelands, potentially supporting reductions in pesticide use and enhancing sustainable pastureland management. By demonstrating the functional importance of bats beyond biodiversity conservation, this study underscores their value in nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture and informs conservation and policy strategies in Ireland. Highlights- Clear habitat bias in studies of ecosystem services by insectivorous bats. - Bat species forage on diverse agricultural pests in pastureland-dominated areas. - Bat foraging behaviour influences consumption of specific pest species. - Bats consume major pasture pests, Tipula oleracea and T. paludosa. - Different bat species target different pests, enhancing overall control.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Metabarcoding reveals the effect of land cover and temporal variations on the diet of Brown long-eared and Soprano pipistrelle bats within a unique European habitat, the pasture dominated landscapes of Ireland.

Considered as tertiary keystone predators, insectivorous bats play essential roles in maintaining the functioning of ecosystems. Investigating how bat species diets vary across landscapes is crucial for understanding bat ecology and their role in ecosystem health. Here, we characterised the predator-prey interactions of two common bat species with different foraging strategies, the Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) and Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), across the unique pastureland dominated landscape of Ireland. Over three years (2021-2023), faecal samples (n=4,627 in total) were collected annually at three time points (gestation, lactation, post-lactation) from twelve maternity roosts and analysed using metabarcoding and next-generation sequencing. Both bat species showed broad diet diversity, with 392 and 350 arthropod species identified for Brown long-eared bat and Soprano pipistrelle, respectively, primarily Lepidoptera and Diptera. The Brown long-eared bat exhibited a generalist diet demonstrating dietary flexibility. Lepidoptera interactions were more frequent overall (62%) compared to Diptera (31%), but interactions with Diptera species increased markedly at one specific roost, highlighting its capacity to adjust its diet to local prey availability. In contrast, the Soprano pipistrelle exhibited a more specialised diet, with 83% consisting of Diptera species. Both spatial and temporal factors significantly influenced dietary richness and composition in both species. Surrounding land cover, in particular, played an important role in shaping diet composition. Our findings suggest that the Brown long-eared bat exhibits a broad foraging strategy, acting as a generalist with a preference for Lepidoptera, while the Soprano pipistrelle shows a consistent reliance on Diptera. This study underscores the reliance of two widespread bat species, which play an important role in ecosystem well-being, on diverse insect taxa, highlighting the urgent need to conserve these insect populations.

ecology↗