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Echolocation of insects by horseshoe bats

Nature volume 250, pages 731–732 (1974)Cite this article

Abstract

MOST bats of the Suborder Microchiroptera use echolocation during the pursuit of insect prey1. This conclusion was originally based on observation that bats emitted high frequency orientation sounds during pursuit of insects and that their repetition rate increased sharply during close pursuit manoeuvres. Experiments in controlled laboratory conditions later demonstrated that little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) could capture fruit flies (Drosophila sp.) by echolocation when vision and passive hearing of insect flight sounds were not possible2.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, 10021

    DONALD R. GRIFFIN

  2. Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130

    JAMES A. SIMMONS

Authors
  1. DONALD R. GRIFFIN
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  2. JAMES A. SIMMONS
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GRIFFIN, D., SIMMONS, J. Echolocation of insects by horseshoe bats. Nature 250, 731–732 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/250731a0

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