Current Science

Claire Wordley ¹, John Altringham ¹, T. R. Shankar Raman ²

Affiliations
1 School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, GB
2 Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore 570 002, IN

Abstract

Many bat species occur in Indian coffee plantations and despite sporadic reports of damage to commercial coffee crops, the literature shows little evidence for these claims. Measures that have been proposed to 'control' fruit bats are likely to be ineffective and even counter-productive. Instead, insect-eating bats should be encouraged by planters as they help control herbivorous and disease-carrying insects, while fruit bats pollinate flowers and disperse seeds of many useful plants and shade tree species. More research is needed to quantify any crop damage caused by bats and to look for sustainable solutions where necessary.

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