Hoary Bat
By Lindsay Rogers
Lasiurus cinereus
A relatively large
bat, by United States
standards, the hoary
bat has a wingspan of
about 16 inches. It is
easily identified by its
large size and distinctive
color. It has dark brown-
black fur tipped in white
which gives it a frosted or
hoary appearance. Like all of
Nebraska's 13 bat species, the hoary
bat is an insectivore; each individual
eats hundreds (if not thousands) of insects every
night. They consume mosquitos, moths, beetles, flies
and wasps. Their importance in insect control cannot be
overstated. Hoary bats arrive in Nebraska from their wintering grounds in May.
They have one litter of pups, usually twins, annually. With young ready to fly, they depart
in October for wintering grounds which provide a steady source of insects throughout the winter
months. ■
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PHOTO
BY
JOEL
SARTORE
A Mammal Brief
8 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2016
