Our partners in Portugal have been already conducting field work in selected experimental plots. Some components of this experimental field work are related to the monitoring of the effects of bats in the Prays oleae plague through the use of a device powered by solar panels, which incorporates a modified delta trap and which is equipped with a photographic camera and ultra-sonic bat detector. Such monitoring activities are intended at obtaining synchronized data about the positive effects of bats over the P. oleae plague in order to assess the potential for interaction between them. At the same time, and in order to enhance or increase the populations of bats, shelter-boxes are to be placed in order to increase the availability of Bat coats (Photographs 1 and 2) in our study.

Photo 1: Shelter box for bats (Foto de Bruno Silva)

Fotografia 2: Shelter box for bats (Foto de Bruno Silva)