Author： Verghese Abraham
Publisher： Taylor & Francis Ltd
ISSN： 1366-5863
Source： International Journal of Pest Management, Vol.44, Iss.2, 1998-04, pp. : 81-85
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Abstract
Abstract. The bat, Cynopterus sphinx Vahl (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae), seriously damages grapes in India. Foraging ecology and non-destructive control of the bat, C. sphinx , was studied at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. Bat damage was found to be positively correlated with fruitmaturity and itbegins atleasta fortnight prior to harvest, when fruits startmaturing. Peak damage was recorded 8 days prior to harvest. Damage was significantly higher where open space, adjacent to the vineyard, was available and lower on the vines closest to a mango orchard, 10 m away from the vineyard. It was inferred that growing trees around the vineyard may deter bat foraging. Erecting around-bower nylon netting (5 5 cm, mesh) from ground level to bower height, did not prevent bat damage. In addition to erecting around-bower netting, erecting within-bower netting (in a zigzag manner) to obstruct flight within the orchard, also did not appreciably reduce the bat damage. This study also showed thatvines closerto open space had more bat damage than vines which were adjacent to physical barriers like trees and mango orchards. The best management strategy was found to involve erecting the nylon netting around-bower plus covering canopy gaps on the bower with twigs and briers; this gave effective control of the bat in four seasons of trial. This treatment is both nondestructive and cheap. The bat's usefulrole as a pollinator offoresttrees is thus not compromised.
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