DIET OF THE ENDANGERED INDIANA BAT (MYOTIS-SODALIS) ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF ITS RANGE

Dietary preferences of Indiana bats were determined by analyzing 382 f ecal pellets collected beneath roost trees in southern Michigan, over parts of 3 yr, Although terrestrial insects (Lepidoptera and Coleopter a) usually dominated the diet of Indiana bats in more southern states, those in Michigan consumed mostly insects associated with aquatic env ironments. Indiana bats in Michigan ate primarily Trichoptera (55.1% o f volume) and Diptera (25.5%), followed by Lepidoptera (14.2%) and Col eoptera (1.4%). Consumption of Diptera was highest during lactation (4 8.2%), whereas consumption of Lepidoptera was least during this time ( 7.7%). Although most insectivorous bats do not prey on mosquitoes (Cul icidae), these insects were a consistent component of the diet of Indi ana bats and were eaten most heavily during pregnancy (6.6%).