Bats as Natural Pest Control in South African Apple Orchards: A Promising Eco-Friendly Approach

 

Bats as Natural Pest Control in South African Apple Orchards: A Promising Eco-Friendly Approach

South Africa's Vast Apple Orchards Seek Sustainable Pest Control Solution

South Africa boasts expansive and diverse agricultural landscapes, with its eastern Free State region home to thriving apple orchards. However, these orchards face a pressing challenge - pest control. While pesticide use has been effective, it comes with environmental concerns and high costs.

Doctoral candidate Alexandra Howard, specializing in agricultural conservation at the University of the Free State (UFS), is pioneering unconventional research aimed at providing a promising solution: bats.

Recently honored at the 2023 L'Oréal–Unesco For Women in Science National Awards ceremony, Howard received a grant to conduct her research, with a target completion date set for 2025.

Howard's groundbreaking research centers on exploring the role of bats in apple orchards, an aspect rarely studied in the eastern Free State, concerning pest control. Her work aims to shed light on how these flying mammals can contribute to the local economy and environment while enhancing pest control efforts.

The inspiration for this innovative research comes from Professor Peter Taylor, a research professor in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at UFS. Taylor and his team at the University of Venda initially embarked on bat-related research on macadamia farms, where they discovered the potential of bats as natural pest controllers.

Collaborating with local farmers and eco-farmers, Howard's research project focuses on understanding the habits of bats in the eastern Free State, particularly their dietary preferences and how they can assist in pest control. This is a critical step, given the limited prior research on bats in the region.

Studies worldwide have shown that bats play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling pests, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. In South Africa, where the transition to more organic and sustainable agricultural practices is gaining traction due to environmental concerns and the desire to reduce pesticide use and costs, bats offer an exciting avenue.

Howard emphasizes, "Farmers need to look at other strategies and ways to ensure that fruit is healthy and safe. So, it makes sense to use biodiversity to assist with that."

Citizen science adds depth and relevance to the research. Involving local communities and farmers in data collection and research activities provides them with a sense of contributing to the well-being of their surroundings. This fosters an understanding of the importance of bat research and strengthens the connection between people, the environment, and the animals inhabiting it.

Howard has already begun collecting acoustic data, tracking the bats' activities as they fly through the orchards. She plans to identify the insects they consume at different times of the year and assess the economic value of their services, while also exploring the implications for pesticide use and environmental factors.