"Research in South Texas focuses on bats' impact as pest removers"

By: Anstasia Ustinova, San Antonio EXPRESS - News. Web Posted: 08/20/2007 01:07 AM CDT [an adaptation, of course!]

"UVALDE -- Standing outside the gaping hole of Frio Cave, Thomas Kunz beamed his headlamp at a small gray bat with broad ears and a naked tail that he carefully held in his gloves.

"Behind him, almost invisible against the night sky, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free - tail bats swirled out of the cave in search of moths and worms to munch on.

"Though scientists have long discovered that bats consume enormous quantities of insects, cutting - edge technology and a $2.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation have allowed scientists to put a price tag on their eating habits and promote bats as one of the most cost - effective and safest pest controls available.

"The U.S. Agriculture Department said these bats eliminate insects before they strike farm fields, preventng crop loss and saving local farmers up to $1.7 million annually.

"Each March, an estimated 100 million bats migrate to Texas from Mexico."

Good, well reserached article !!