THE DIET OF EPTESICUS-SEROTINUS IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND

The diet of a maternity colony of serotine bats Eptesicus serotinus in Southern England was investigated by analysing faecal pellets collect ed from beneath the roost throughout the summer. Aphodius beetles were the commonest item found in faeces. There was a significant differenc e in the insect prey consumed during each month of the study, with the greatest diversity occurring in June. The prominence of Aphodius in t he diet of serotines confirms the importance of cattle pasture as a fe eding habitat for this bat.