habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
It occurs in savannah woodland and is associated with open water bodies, but is absent from moist miombo woodland and arid savannah (Monadjem et al. 2010). There are limited data available for the roosting habits of this species, but they are commonly netted over water and have been collected in tree crevices and hollows (Roberts 1951; Taylor 2000), under the bark of dead Vachellia (previously Acacia) trees, and in old buildings (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). It is a clutter-edge forager with a diet consisting of Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera (Monadjem et al. 2010). There is slight sexual dimorphism; with the females being slightly heavier than their male counterparts (van der Merwe & Rautenbach 1990; Monadjem et al. 2010). Studies into the reproductive ecology of the Rusty Bat in Limpopo revealed that copulation occurs in April, followed by a period of sperm storage in the female until August and September, when ovulation and fertilization take place (Monadjem et al. 2010).Ecosystem and cultural services: As this species is insectivorous, it may contribute to controlling insect populations that damage crops (Boyles et al. 2011; Kunz et al. 2011). Ensuring a healthy population of insectivorous bats can thus decrease the need for pesticides.
