Phenological mismatches disrupt bat-mediated biocontrol services in olive groves

Abstract

Management intensification is known to compromise bat-mediated biocontrol services in olive groves through spatial mismatches between bats and olive pests. However, no information exists regarding disruptions in biocontrol services driven by temporal mismatches between species. To fit this gap of knowledge, we analyzed the distribution of Pipistrellus kuhlii passes throughout the night in three seasons and in different types of olive groves. We also studied the time when Prays oleae activity peak occurs on several nights to compare with the bat species. Our results suggest that the intensification of olive grove management practices does not equally compromise the biocontrol service in the different seasons. In summer, we found that only in olive groves with low structural complexity there is no overlap between the time when the two peaks of activity occur but during autumn, we found that there is always a phenological mismatch, regardless of management practices.