转基因抗虫棉种植面积变化对花生田棉铃虫种群影响

【目的】棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)是花生田主要害虫之一。转基因抗虫棉全面推广后,棉铃虫种群(包括棉田、花生田、玉米田)得到有效控制。近年,随着转基因抗虫棉种植面积逐年下降,花生田棉铃虫种群呈现逐年上升趋势。【方法】本文通过调查山东省花生主产区(非棉区)龙口、招远、莱阳、文登四个县级市花生田棉铃虫成虫、卵量、幼虫量等的发生情况,分析了棉铃虫发生面积及种群数量15年(2000—2014年)的变化规律,并重点分析了主要影响因素。【结果】结果表明:花生棉铃虫发生面积受棉花种植面积影响较大,二者呈显著负相关性;花生田棉铃虫累计诱蛾量总体呈下降趋势,但与棉花种植面积相关性不显著;棉铃虫卵量、虫量与抗虫棉种植面积呈显著负相关性。【结论】所以,转基因抗虫棉种植面积减少是导致花生田棉铃虫种群数量上升的主要因素。另外,近年玉米田棉铃虫发生面积也呈逐年上升趋势,与抗虫棉种植面积呈显著负相关。所以,随转基因抗虫棉种植面积的下降,若不采取有效措施,棉铃虫种群可能会出现大发生趋势。     

棉铃虫种群调查及测报技术

近年,棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)在我国非棉花寄主作物上的发生危害呈明显加重趋势。本文依据棉铃虫生活习性和发生规律、棉花棉铃虫调查技术标准,概述了棉铃虫成虫、卵、幼虫、蛹等不同虫态的种群监测方法,介绍了小麦、玉米、花生等不同作物田种群系统调查和普查技术。同时,建议深入研究种植业结构调整下棉铃虫区域性发生规律、研发应用自动化和智能化种群监测方法、制定推广不同作物棉铃虫测报技术规范,旨在促进非棉花寄主作物上棉铃虫的有效监测、准确预报和科学防控及其种群区域性治理。     

瓢虫种群对棉花-玉米农田景观格局的响应

本文研究了华北棉花-玉米农田景观格局中龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica(Thunberg)和异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis(Pallas)种群动态,发现农田景观格局中作物类型(棉花与玉米)对两种瓢虫种群密度动态有显著的影响,两种天敌瓢虫都趋向在玉米斑块上栖息。两种瓢虫在棉花斑块上呈现出时间分化,其中龟纹瓢虫在棉花种植的前中期种群密度较大,后期较少;而异色瓢虫在棉花前中期种群密度较少,后期较多,表明农田景观中种植玉米有利于增强瓢虫对棉花害虫的控制作用。进一步的研究表明,农田景观系统中玉米斑块所占的面积比对龟纹瓢虫和异色瓢虫种群密度均产生显著影响。这说明在农田景观系统中开展区域性生态调控的时候,需要考虑到各类斑块组合的面积比例,从而有利于增强多种天敌昆虫的协调控害作用。     

农田景观格局对华北地区麦田早期瓢虫种群发生的影响

【目的】评价在华北地区农田景观格局对早期麦田瓢虫种群数量的影响。【方法】本文通过黄板诱集法调查4月中下旬麦田瓢虫成虫数量,对不同空间尺度下的景观格局进行调查与主成分分析,并结合"校正后赤池信息准则(AICc)"对构建的线性模型进行筛选,评估了景观因子对瓢虫种群数量的影响。【结果】在半径0.5、1.0、1.5、2.0 km 4个景观尺度下以林地为主的非作物生境均有利于麦田瓢虫成虫种群数量的增加,在较大的尺度范围内村落和休耕地与麦田瓢虫的发生数量正相关。其中,0.5 km尺度下的景观因子最能预测麦田瓢虫种群数量,其中林地面积和瓢虫种群数量呈正相关,而麦田瓢虫却随着景观多样性指数的增加而降低。此外,龟纹瓢虫作为麦田早期瓢虫的优势种类对景观多样性的响应与瓢虫复合种群一致。【结论】在华北地区,农田景观系统中非作物生境有利于麦田早期瓢虫种群的发生。     

区域农田景观格局对麦田天敌瓢虫群落的影响

【目的】明确农田景观格局对麦田天敌瓢虫种群的影响,为开展区域性害虫生态调控提供理论依据。【方法】以山东省22个县市区域的小麦种植区为研究对象,基于遥感影像与土地覆盖分类数据以及田间调查的瓢虫种群数据,计算景观格局指数,使用负二项分布的广义线性模型从农田景观、非作物生境景观和区域景观3个方面分析区域农田景观格局对麦田天敌瓢虫群落的影响。【结果】麦田瓢虫种群数量与草地的平均斑块面积(mean patch area,AREA_MN)和面积加权平均斑块分维数(area-weighted mean patch fractal dimension,FRAC_AM)、区域景观的斑块丰富度密度(patch richness density,PRD)呈正相关,与非作物生境的面积加权平均几何最邻近距离(areaweighted mean Euclidean nearest neighbor distance,ENN_AM)呈负相关。草地、聚集的非作物生境以及多样性的区域景观有利于天敌瓢虫种群数量的增加。使用草地的平均斑块面积和非作物生境的面积加权平均几何最邻近距离可以预测瓢虫的发生量。【结论】作为非作物生境的草地、非作物生境的空间分布及区域景观的多样性是影响麦田天敌瓢虫发生的重要因素。     

棉铃虫迁飞规律及其与寄主植物的互作关系研究进展概况

用飞行磨、透射电镜、风洞等测定了棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Htibner)成虫的飞行能力和飞行肌结构的变化,结合不同虫源滞育条件及抗寒能力比较、蛹与成虫的形态学比较及分子生物学标记、幼虫抗药性地理分布、海轮上捕捉、成虫携带花粉的分析和小规模成虫颜色标记-释放-回收试验,证明棉铃虫是一种典型的兼性迁飞性害虫;初步推断辽河流域特早熟棉区的棉铃虫虫源来自黄河流域棉区,各相邻的棉区之间有频繁的棉铃虫种群交流。观察棉铃虫触角上不同类型嗅觉感器的形态和分布,用EAG、GC-EAG、GC-MS等测试分析了棉铃虫对不同植物各器官抽提物的电生理反应及抽提物中的活性组分。发现吸引棉铃虫取食的挥发性它感化合物主要为极性较小的单萜烯类,而吸引其产卵的主要为倍半萜烯类及其它一些极性较大的化合物。改进了测定棉株内抗生性次生代谢产物的定性、定量方法,研究了棉酚、单宁对棉铃虫发育、繁殖的影响及2类次生物间的交互作用,通过杂交初步探讨了棉花常规抗虫性的遗传特性,并尝试了切断胚轴和转Bt基因内生菌处理棉花增强抗虫性的作用。认为在利用棉花自然抗虫性的同时,应结合各种人为手段增强其抗性,使其在棉铃虫猖獗条件下发挥更大的控制作用。从气候、营养、天敌、抗药性等方面研究了棉铃虫猖獗原因,初步认为：气候干旱是棉铃虫暴发的最主要环境条件,施肥水平特别是施氮量的日益增高是棉铃虫严重性上升的主要物质基础,而不合理使用化学农药是造成棉铃虫种群失控的主要人为因子。     

棉花生境面积及其破碎化对烟粉虱种群的影响

【目的】阐明棉花生境面积变化及其破碎化对烟粉虱Bemisiatabaci种群的作用规律,为合理利用作物布局进行害虫生态调控提供理论支撑。【方法】采用国际流行的微景观试验模型系统(Experimental model landscape system,EMLS)进行试验设计,田间条件下连续两年研究了棉花生境面积变化(20%、40%、60%、80%和100%;其他为玉米生境面积)及2种极端破碎化(完全连通C clumped:H=1.0;完全破碎F fragmented:H=0.0)下烟粉虱种群数量变化,采用广义线性模型(GLM)分析各因素对烟粉虱种群数量的影响。【结果】棉花生境面积及其破碎化单独作用时均对烟粉虱种群数量无显著影响,而取样时间则有显著影响。烟粉虱种群数量也没有受到取样时间与棉花生境面积、取样时间与破碎化以及三者交互作用的显著影响。但是,棉花生境面积与破碎化的互作效应则存在年度变化,2014年无显著作用,2015年显著影响烟粉虱种群。当棉花生境面积较小(20%)或较大(80%)时,破碎化程度高,烟粉虱种群数量少;棉花生境面积中等(40%和60%)时,破碎化程度低,烟粉虱种群数量少。【结论】烟粉虱种群对棉花生境面积变化有较强的适应性,而生境破碎化只能在一定程度上产生影响。     

新疆北部棉铃虫寄主来源与转基因棉区庇护所评估

转Bt基因抗虫棉长期大规模种植后,棉铃虫对其存在抗性风险,庇护所是延缓抗性上升的策略之一。但在新疆北部转基因棉区,庇护所提供敏感棉铃虫的生态功能尚未见评估。2013年5—9月期间在新疆北部石河子地区147团、121团利用棉田边缘的智能测报灯收集棉铃虫成虫,应用碳稳定同位素技术从群体水平(混合翅膀)分析虫源性质,从个体水平(雌蛾翅膀和对应精包)确定交配类型;同时通过解剖雌性棉铃虫体内的精包数量评估交配频率。结果表明:来源于C4植物的棉铃虫主要出现在5月下旬和8—9月期间,比例占到50%左右;6—7月接近100%的棉铃虫来自于C3植物上;经测定不同寄主来源棉铃虫的有效交配比例为10%左右;两个地方的棉铃虫交配频率一般在0.9—2.1次,但121团的第一代和第二代均高于147团。玉米是新疆北部地区重要的庇护所,但C3和C4来源棉铃虫同存的时间比较短,有效交配比例相对比较低,影响了庇护所的抗性稀释能力。在转基因棉区的抗性管理中不仅要考虑庇护所提供敏感棉铃虫数量大小,同时需要考虑有效交配比率,这将有利深刻理解庇护所生态功能。     

区域性农田景观格局对棉蚜种群数量的生态学效应

农田景观格局的变化显著影响害虫的发生和危害,不同景观格局会对害虫的种群数量产生不同程度的影响,因而明确农田景观格局对害虫的生态学效应是控制害虫的重要前提之一。以山东省的棉花种植区为研究区域,选取14个典型的尽量临近不同土地覆盖类型的棉花生产县,通过卫星遥感影像和土地覆盖分类数据综合分析获得取样县/区的景观因子指数,并系统调查对应县/区的棉蚜种群数量。省级范围的大空间尺度下分析景观组成、景观构成和景观结构等多因子分别与棉田中苗蚜和伏蚜种群的相关性。研究结果表明棉蚜的种群数量与景观格局有密切的关系,且棉蚜发生的两个时期苗蚜和伏蚜对景观因子的响应特征并不完全一致。苗蚜的种群数量与景观总面积、耕地的分形指数、县域范围的蔓延度和县域范围的回旋半径等呈显著正相关,与Simpson多样性指标呈显著负相关;伏蚜的种群数量与斑块丰富密度、居住工业交通的蔓延度等呈显著正相关。总之,苗蚜和伏蚜对景观的蔓延度(形)响应基本上是一致的,景观的破碎化程度越小,伏蚜和苗蚜发生越重。而苗蚜和伏蚜对景观多样性(质)的响应不一致,景观多样性高的农田景观不利于苗蚜的发生,对伏蚜的影响不显著;而丰富度密度有助于伏蚜的发生,却对苗蚜没有显著影响。这一结果显示了农业害虫的不同发生时期对农田景观格局响应的复杂性。     

棉铃虫对转Bt基因抗虫棉花的抗性机制及治理

棉铃虫是危害棉花最严重的害虫之一. 作为生物技术产品, 转Bt杀虫基因棉花产生的Cry毒素对棉铃虫有高效毒杀作用. Bt棉花已在世界范围内商业化种植, 通过有效控制棉铃虫种群数量, 而显著减少了化学农药的用量. 尽管没有发现棉铃虫田间种群对Bt棉花产生高水平抗性, 但室内持续筛选已培育出多个高水平抗性品系, 表明存在棉铃虫对Bt棉花产生抗性的风险. 鉴于棉铃虫对Bt棉花产生抗性可能对Bt棉花利用价值的影响, 国内外近10年来对此进行了系统深入地研究. 本文综述了棉铃虫对Bt棉花抗性的生物化学和分子机制、抗性治理与监测技术的最新研究进展, 并分析了中国、澳大利亚和印度等国家棉铃虫对Bt棉花的抗性治理策略.     

Effects of climate change and crop planting structure on the abundance of cotton bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The interactions between plants and insects play an important role in ecosystems. Climate change and cropping patterns can affect herbivorous pest insect dynamics. Understanding the reasons for population fluctuations can help improve integrated pest management strategies. Here, a 25‐year dataset on climate, cropping planting structure, and the population dynamics of cotton bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) from Bachu County, south Xinjiang, China, was analyzed to assess the effects of changes in climate and crop planting structure on the population dynamics of H. armigera. The three generations of H. armigera showed increasing trends in population size with climate warming, especially in the third generation. The relative abundances of the first and second generations decreased, but that of the third generation increased. Rising temperature and precipitation produced different impacts on the development of different generations. The population numbers of H. armigera increased with the increase in the non‐Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton‐planted area. Asynchrony of abrupt changes existed among climate change, crop flowering dates, and the phenology of H. armigera moths. The asynchronous responses in crop flowering dates and phenology of H. armigera to climate warming would expand in the future. The primary factors affecting the first, second, and third generations of moths were T_mean in June, the last appearance date of the second generation of moths, and the duration of the third generation of moths, respectively. To reduce the harm to crops caused by H. armigera, Bt cotton should be widely planted.     

Population Genetic Structure of the Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in India as Inferred from EPIC-PCR DNA Markers

Helicoverpa armigera is an important pest of cotton and other agricultural crops in the Old World. Its wide host range, high mobility and fecundity, and the ability to adapt and develop resistance against all common groups of insecticides used for its management have exacerbated its pest status. An understanding of the population genetic structure in H. armigera under Indian agricultural conditions will help ascertain gene flow patterns across different agricultural zones. This study inferred the population genetic structure of Indian H. armigera using five Exon-Primed Intron-Crossing (EPIC)-PCR markers. Nested alternative EPIC markers detected moderate null allele frequencies (4.3% to 9.4%) in loci used to infer population genetic structure but the apparently genome-wide heterozygote deficit suggests in-breeding or a Wahlund effect rather than a null allele effect. Population genetic analysis of the 26 populations suggested significant genetic differentiation within India but especially in cotton-feeding populations in the 2006–07 cropping season. In contrast, overall pair-wise F _ST estimates from populations feeding on food crops indicated no significant population substructure irrespective of cropping seasons. A Baysian cluster analysis was used to assign the genetic make-up of individuals to likely membership of population clusters. Some evidence was found for four major clusters with individuals in two populations from cotton in one year (from two populations in northern India) showing especially high homogeneity. Taken as a whole, this study found evidence of population substructure at host crop, temporal and spatial levels in Indian H. armigera, without, however, a clear biological rationale for these structures being evident.     

Forecasting Helicoverpa populations in Australia： A comparison of regression based models and a bioclimatic based modelling approach

Abstract Long-term forecasts of pest pressure are central to the effective management of many agricultural insect pests. In the eastern cropping regions of Australia, serious infestations of Helicoverpa punctigera (Wallengren) and H. armigera (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are experienced annually. Regression analyses of a long series of light-trap catches of adult moths were used to describe the seasonal dynamics of both species. The size of the spring generation in eastern cropping zones could be related to rainfall in putative source areas in inland Australia. Subsequent generations could be related to the abundance of various crops in agricultural areas, rainfall and the magnitude of the spring population peak. As rainfall figured prominently as a predictor variable, and can itself be predicted using the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), trap catches were also related to this variable. The geographic distribution of each species was modelled in relation to climate and CLIMEX was used to predict temporal variation in abundance at given putative source sites in inland Australia using historical meteorological data. These predictions were then correlated with subsequent pest abundance data in a major cropping region. The regression-based and bioclimatic-based approaches to predicting pest abundance are compared and their utility in predicting and interpreting pest dynamics are discussed.     

Diet-delivered RNAi in Helicoverpa armigera – Progresses and challenges

Helicoverpa armigera (the cotton bollworm) is a significant agricultural pest endemic to Afro-Eurasia and Oceania. Gene suppression via RNA interference (RNAi) presents a potential avenue for management of the pest, which is highly resistant to traditional insecticide sprays. This article reviews current understanding on the fate of ingested double-stranded RNA in H. armigera. Existing in vivo studies on diet-delivered RNAi and their effects are summarized and followed by a discussion on the factors and hurdles affecting the efficacy of diet-delivered RNAi in H. armigera.     

Regulation of the seasonal population patterns of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> moths by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bt</Emphasis> cotton planting

Transgenic cotton expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac toxin has been commercially cultivated in China since 1997, and by 2000 Bt cotton had almost completely replaced non-transgenic cotton cultivars. To evaluate the impact of Bt cotton planting on the seasonal population patterns of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, the dynamics of H. armigera moths were monitored with light traps from four locations (Xiajin, Linqing and Dingtao of Shandong Province; Guantao of Hebei Province) in high Bt density region and five locations (Anci and Xinji of Hebei Province; Dancheng and Fengqiu of Henan Province; Gaomi of Shandong Province) in low Bt density region from 1996 to 2008. A negative correlation was found between moth densities of H. armigera and the planting years of Bt cotton in both high and low Bt density areas. These data indicate that the moth population density of H. armigera was reduced with the introduction of Bt cotton in northern China. Three generations of moths occurred between early June and late September in the cotton regions. Interestingly, second-generation moths decreased and seemed to vanish in recent years in high Bt density region, but this tendency was not found in low Bt density region. The data suggest that the planting of Bt cotton in high Bt density region was effective in controlling the population density of second-generation moths. Furthermore, the seasonal change of moth patterns associated with Bt cotton planting may regulate the regional occurrence and population development of this migratory insect.     

Responses of midgut amylases of Helicoverpa armigera to feeding on various host plants

Midgut digestive amylases and proteinases of Helicoverpa armigera, a polyphagous and devastating insect pest of economic importance have been studied. We also identified the potential of a sorghum amylase inhibitor against H. armigera midgut amylase. Amylase activities were detected in all the larval instars, pupae, moths and eggs; early instars had lower amylase levels which steadily increased up to the sixth larval instar. Qualitative and quantitative differences in midgut amylases of H. armigera upon feeding on natural and artificial diets were evident. Natural diets were categorized as one or more members of legumes, vegetables, flowers and cereals belonging to different plant families. Amylase activity and isoform patterns varied depending on host plant and/or artificial diet. Artificial diet-fed H. armigera larvae had comparatively high amylase activity and several unique amylase isoforms. Correlation of amylase and proteinase activities of H. armigera with the protein and carbohydrate content of various diets suggested that H. armigera regulates the levels of these digestive enzymes in response to macromolecular composition of the diet. These adjustments in the digestive enzymes of H. armigera may be to obtain better nourishment from the diet and avoid toxicity due to nutritional imbalance. H. armigera, a generalist feeder experiences a great degree of nutritional heterogeneity in its diet. An investigation of the differences in enzyme levels in response to macronutrient balance and imbalance highlight their importance in insect nutrition.     

The growing abundance of Helicoverpa armigera in Hungary and its areal shift estimation

The invasive Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has become a serious pest of several agricultural plants since its first mass occurrence in Hungary (1993). During the decades of the species’ presence in the Carpathian Basin, a remarkable fluctuation was detected in its abundance and flight phenology. We analysed long term light trap records and meteorological data to identify the possible factors behind these fluctuations. This study presents an overview of the areal dispersion and the rate of accumulation and flight phenology of this invasive pest, from its first Hungarian mass occurrence until the present, focusing on the influence of climatic factors on the Hungarian distribution of H. armigera. According to our estimation, this pest occupied 94% of the area of Hungary within eight years. There were significant differences in pest pressure by regions, corroborated by the average number of trapped specimens and the regression coefficients. Fluctuations of specimen numbers in the different years are clearly visible in the flight phenology diagrams, which depend on the rate of the growing abundance. The results indicate that abiotic elements may also play a significant role in the areal dispersion of this important invasive insect.     

Aggregating fields of annual crops to form larger-scale monocultures can suppress dispersal-limited herbivores

An important part of landscape ecology is determining how the arrangement (aggregation or fragmentation) of patches in space influences the population dynamics of foraging organisms. One hypothesis in agricultural ecology is that fine-grain spatial heterogeneity in cropping (many small agricultural fields) should provide better pest control than coarse-grain heterogeneity (few large agricultural fields); this hypothesis has been proposed as an explanation for the increased pest abundance associated with agricultural intensification. However, empirical studies have found mixed support for this hypothesis, and some, surprisingly, demonstrate a strong decrease in pest abundance with increased crop aggregation. We developed a spatially explicit simulation model of pest movement across an agricultural landscape to uncover basic processes that could reduce pest abundance in landscapes with fewer, larger fields. This model focuses on herbivore movement and does not include predation effects or other biological interactions. We found that field aggregation in the model led to severely reduced pest densities and further discovered that this relationship was due to an increased distance between fields and a decreased “target area” in more aggregated landscapes. The features that create a negative relationship between aggregation and pest densities rely on crop rotation and limited dispersal capabilities of the pests. These findings help to explain seemingly counter-intuitive empirical studies and provide an expectation for when field aggregation may reduce pest populations in agro-ecosystems.     

Weakening density dependence from climate change and agricultural intensification triggers pest outbreaks: a 37‐year observation of cotton bollworms

Understanding drivers of population fluctuation, especially for agricultural pests, is central to the provision of agro‐ecosystem services. Here, we examine the role of endogenous density dependence and exogenous factors of climate and human activity in regulating the 37‐year population dynamics of an important agricultural insect pest, the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), in North China from 1975 to 2011. Quantitative time‐series analysis provided strong evidence explaining long‐term population dynamics of the cotton bollworm and its driving factors. Rising temperature and declining rainfall exacerbated the effect of agricultural intensification on continuously weakening the negative density dependence in regulating the population dynamics of cotton bollworms. Consequently, ongoing climate change and agricultural intensification unleashed the tightly regulated pest population and triggered the regional outbreak of H. armigera in 1992. Although the negative density dependence can effectively regulate the population change rate to fluctuate around zero at stable equilibrium levels before and after outbreak in the 1992, the population equilibrium jumped to a higher density level with apparently larger amplitudes after the outbreak. The results highlight the possibility for exogenous factors to induce pest outbreaks and alter the population regulating mechanism of negative density dependence and, thus, the stable equilibrium of the pest population, often to a higher level, posing considerable risks to the provision of agro‐ecosystem services and regional food security. Efficient and timely measures of pest management in the era of Anthropocene should target the strengthening and revival of weakening density dependence caused by climate change and human activities.     

Insectivorous bats selectively source moths and eat mostly pest insects on dryland and irrigated cotton farms

Insectivorous bats are efficient predators of pest arthropods in agroecosystems. This pest control service has been estimated to be worth billions of dollars to agriculture globally. However, few studies have explicitly investigated the composition and abundance of dietary prey items consumed or assessed the ratio of pest and beneficial arthropods, making it difficult to evaluate the quality of the pest control service provided. In this study, we used metabarcoding to identify the prey items eaten by insectivorous bats over the cotton‐growing season in an intensive cropping region in northern New South Wales, Australia. We found that seven species of insectivorous bat (n = 58) consumed 728 prey species, 13 of which represented around 50% of total prey abundance consumed. Importantly, the identified prey items included major arthropod pests, comprising 65% of prey relative abundance and 13% of prey species recorded. Significant cotton pests such as Helicoverpa punctigera (Australian bollworm) and Achyra affinitalis (cotton webspinner) were detected in at least 76% of bat fecal samples, with Teleogryllus oceanicus (field crickets), Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm), and Crocidosema plebejana (cotton tipworm) detected in 55% of bat fecal samples. Our results indicate that insectivorous bats are selective predators that exploit a narrow selection of preferred pest taxa and potentially play an important role in controlling lepidopteran pests on cotton farms. Our study provides crucial information for farmers to determine the service or disservice provided by insectivorous bats in relation to crops, for on‐farm decision making.