From: Mike Quinn [mailto:Mike.Quinn@tpwd.state.tx.us]

Subject: Economic Value of south-central Texas Bats

Economic value of the pest control service provided by Brazilian free-tailed bats in south-central Texas

Cutler J Cleveland1*, Margrit Betke2, Paula Federico3, Jeff D Frank4, Thomas G Hallam3, Jason Horn5, Juan D López Jr6, Gary F McCracken3, Rodrigo A Medellín7, Arnulfo Moreno-Valdez8, Chris G Sansone9, John K Westbrook6, and Thomas H Kunz5

Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) form enormous summer breeding colonies, mostly in caves and under bridges, in south-central Texas and northern Mexico. Their prey includes several species of adult insects whose larvae are known to be important agricultural pests, including the corn earworm or cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa zea). We estimate the bats' value as pest control for cotton production in an eight-county region in south-central Texas. Our calculations show an annual value of $741,000 per year, with a range of $121,000-$1,725,000, compared to a $4.6-$6.4 million per year annual cotton harvest.

Frontiers in Ecology & the Environment 2006; 4(5): 238-243

A publication of The Ecological Society of America

Mike Quinn

Invertebrate Biologist, Nongame & Rare Species

Texas Parks & Wildlife

M: 3000 I-35 South, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78704

P: 512-912-7059

C: 512-577-0250

E: mike.quinn@tpwd.state.tx.us