Bats are the natural enemies of the boxwood (Buxus colchica) moths that exterminated unique plants.
This was found out by scientists of the Sochi National Park. In order to attract bats in the places of natural recovery of boxwood (Buxus colchica), artificial shelters - bat boxes were hung up. They are aimed at attracting dendrophilous species of bats, which are able to destroy the moth.
Leading researcher at the Sochi National Park, Alexei Romashin, said that the designs of the bat boxes are very diverse. They are not occupied immediately, since the echolocation device of bats effectively works only at a small distance. The design of the shelter is protected from the penetration of forest predators - martens, wild cats, raccoon stripes.
Today at least 24 species of bats live on the territory of the Sochi National Park, almost all of them belong to the category of insectivores. One of the most interesting species is the rarest gigantic noctule bat with a wingspan of about 50 centimeters. Its main diet is small birds, which it catches at dusk.
