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Fungus kills 500,000 bats leaving more insects to attack crops

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FelixDeCat

FelixDeCat

Lifer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...on_re_us/us_bat_fungus

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ? The U.S. Forest Service is closing thousands of caves and former mines in national forests in 33 states in an effort to control a fungus that has already killed an estimated 500,000 bats.

Bats have been dying at alarming rates from what scientists call "white-nose syndrome," so-named because it appears as a white powder on the face and wings of hibernating bats. The problem was first spotted in New York and within two years has spread to caves in West Virginia and Virginia. There's no evidence the fungus is harmful to people.

Researchers believe the fungus is spread from bat to bat, but they have not ruled out the possibility that humans tromping from cave to cave might help to transmit it on their shoes and equipment, said Dennis Krusac, a biologist with the service's Southern region.

Bats play a key role in keeping insects such as mosquitoes under control. Between April and October, they usually eat their body weight in bugs per night. The loss of 500,000 bats means 2.4 million pounds of bugs aren't eaten in a year, Ewing said.
Click to expand...

Who knew bats were so beneficial to humans? They control insect populations which means less insecticide use. Now with this fungus among bats, the chances of food prices going up to pay for those insecticides and potential for cancer will increase.

Wont somebody please think of the bats? :shocked:
 
Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...on_re_us/us_bat_fungus

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ? The U.S. Forest Service is closing thousands of caves and former mines in national forests in 33 states in an effort to control a fungus that has already killed an estimated 500,000 bats.

Bats have been dying at alarming rates from what scientists call "white-nose syndrome," so-named because it appears as a white powder on the face and wings of hibernating bats. The problem was first spotted in New York and within two years has spread to caves in West Virginia and Virginia. There's no evidence the fungus is harmful to people.

Researchers believe the fungus is spread from bat to bat, but they have not ruled out the possibility that humans tromping from cave to cave might help to transmit it on their shoes and equipment, said Dennis Krusac, a biologist with the service's Southern region.

Bats play a key role in keeping insects such as mosquitoes under control. Between April and October, they usually eat their body weight in bugs per night. The loss of 500,000 bats means 2.4 million pounds of bugs aren't eaten in a year, Ewing said.
Click to expand...

Who knew bats were so beneficial to humans? They control insect populations which means less insecticide use. Now with this fungus among bats, the chances of food prices going up to pay for those insecticides and potential for cancer will increase.

Wont somebody please think of the bats? :shocked:
Click to expand...

Many people, especially those who have read a Sand County Almanac or other books, understand that every creature plays a role in the circle of life.
 
Originally posted by: nerp
Many people, especially those who have read a Sand County Almanac or other books, understand that every creature plays a role in the circle of life.
Click to expand...

The circle of life is indeed a wonderful thing. My main concern however is simply the food chain. 🙁

 
Bats rock. I have a colony in my oak tree. One of the few summertime joys I have is going out at dusk and watching the bats fly.
 
No doubt this is the work of Ra's Al Ghul. Those bats were poisoned by a weaponized hallucinogen that caused them to blindly kamikaze into cave walls.
 
They got the Blow, but still lack the Hookers that makes up the necessary Duo for Advanced Civilization.

Sorry Bats, you Fail!
 
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