Protecting the Hawaiian Hoary Bat During Pupping Season

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Bodie Estep | 230615-N-LZ409-1002 KEKAHA, Hawai‘i (June 15, 2023) This graphic about Hawaiian hoary bats and pupping season was created for Facebook. (U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bodie Estep)  

KEKAHA, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

07.20.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bodie Estep 

Pacific Missile Range Facility

KEKAHA, Hawaiʻi – Generally speaking, no one wants to be bitten and bothered by pests such as mosquitos. More than just the general annoyance mosquitoes cause, they are actually an invasive species that play a hand in population declines of native forest birds due to the diseases they carry. Luckily, there are a variety of animals that help with controlling insect numbers. Microbats are one such animal, eating about 40% of their body weight in insects every night.
“One of Kauai’s lesser known cute critters is the endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Hawaii’s only native land mammal,” said Capt. Brett Stevenson, commanding officer, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands. “The bats are highly beneficial in keeping the mosquito population in check here on base.”
There are over 900 species of microbats throughout the world and they can weigh as little as three grams. The Hawaiian Hoary Bat, or ʻŌpeʻapeʻa in Hawaiian, is considered large for a microbat, weighing in at up to 14 grams. However, comparably speaking that is still not very big when considering 14 grams is only about the weight of three quarters.
The ʻŌpeʻapeʻa is solitary and tree-roosting, so they do not nest in caves like other bats. The Hawaiian name means “half-leaf.” This name stems from the fact that their wings resemble the bottom of a taro leaf. Hoary, which means grayish white, is a reference to the frosty color on its back.
The ʻŌpeʻapeʻa differs from other bats for other reasons as well. They are one of the very few species of bat that use calls at a frequency low enough that humans can hear it. Also, thanks to Hawaii being rabies-free, these bats do not carry rabies, even though they are susceptible to it.
Despite these fun facts, there is actually very little known about the ʻŌpeʻapeʻa. They are very difficult to find, making it a challenge to learn much about them. This means that there isn’t even an accurate number for the population.
Adding to the already difficult process of protecting this species, the babies, or pups, are unable to fly. Due to this, they hang in the tops of trees until they are old enough to ​​learn. Brooke McFarland, Natural Resources Manager for PMRF, stresses that in order to protect the pups hanging in the trees, it is crucial to avoid cutting or trimming trees that are over 15 feet tall during pupping season, which is June 1 to September 15. It is very difficult to see these tiny bats and the best way to avoid knocking them out of the trees or injuring them is to not cut the trees. If a pup is knocked from the tree, there is likely nothing that can be done to help it. Once it is down, it can reasonably be considered a loss.
“The bats are rare, so one is unlikely to be in a random single tree,” said Stephen Rossiter, a field biology coordinator with PMRF. “However, because they are rare, if there were one in that tree, it is important to protect it.”
To protect this endangered species, which has the benefit of minimizing invasive mosquitoes and other pests on base, PMRF will continue to regulate tree trimming during pupping season, June 1-September 15.
For any questions regarding tree trimming on base during this period, contact the PMRF environmental hotline at [phone] or [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 07.20.2023
• Date Posted: 07.26.2023 15:58
• Story ID: 450052
• Location: KEKAHA, HAWAII, US