title: [Trophic ecology and predation of the greater noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus) in Russia].
abstract: The trophic ecology of Nyctalus lasiopterus in the Samara Bend during 2008-2010 has been studied. It has been revealed that the main feeding stations for this species are old ecotonal black poplar stands and willow groves. N. lasiopterus keeps to opportunistic foraging by using easily accessible and properly sized food objects. Having analyzed 129 fecal samples, we singled out 10 categories of food objects belonging to six orders of insects. The representatives of Lepidoptera constitute the major part of the ration. Their abundance rates undergo asynchronous changes relative to each other. Homoptera and Neuroptera are found more rarely in the feces. Orthoptera and Diptera are extremely rare. Besides insects, bird feathers were found in 14 faecal samples of N. lasiopterus. They made up from 60 to 90% of the total fecal mass.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Smirnov
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Vekhnik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000502:physiology*; D004463:Ecology; D007313:Insecta; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D012426:Russia