BRAZILIAN FREE‐TAILED BATS AS INSECT PEST REGULATORS IN TRANSGENIC AND CONVENTIONAL COTTON CROPS

• DOI: 10.1890/07-0556.1
• Publication Date: 2008-05-14T15:31:43Z
• Authors: Paula Federico; Thomas G. Hallam; Gary F. McCracken; S. Thomas Purucker; William E. Grant; A. Nelly Correa-S...; John K. Westbrook; Rodrigo A. Medellín; Cutler J. Cleveland; Chris G. Sansone; Juan D. López; Margrit Betke; Arnulfo Moreno-Va...; Thomas H. Kunz
• Keywords: Insectivore; Bt Cotton

During the past 12000 years agricultural systems have transitioned from natural habitats to conventional regions and recently large areas of genetically engineered (GE) croplands. This GE revolution occurred for cotton in a span slightly more than decade during which switch major production growing 100% an environment 95% transgenics are grown. Ecological interactions between targeted insects other insectivorous been investigated. However, relationships ecological functions (such as herbivory ecosystem transport) agronomic benefits avian or mammalian insectivores transgenic generally remain unclear, although importance some pest management services provided by species such Brazilian free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, recognized. We developed dynamic model predict regional-scale food webs using indicators insect measured boll damage emigration cotton. In south-central Texas Winter Garden region we find that process insectivory bats has considerable impact on both ecology valuation harvest Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) nontransgenic crops. Predation pests may enhance economic value reducing frequency required spraying delaying ultimate need new pesticides. region, presence numbers yields regional summer dispersion adult Bt is considerably reduced moth when absent either non-transgenic decrease impacts transcontinental scale. With few exceptions, agronomics profitable present.