Pesticides in agriculture pose a significant threat to biodiversity. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aims to enhance habitat quality for beneficial organisms and reducing the needs of pes-ticides. However, little research has focused on incorporating migratory insect eating birds species into IPM strategies. This study investigates if birds and bats contribute significantly to biological pest control, if habitat structures and manipulations can enhance their abundance, species richness and hence control impact and which of these manipulations can be included in farming protocols as tools for farmers.
We investigated whether audio lures can attract migratory insectivorous birds to field crops and date plantations, what factors influence abundance of birds in the crops, whether the birds’ diet include crop-related insect pests, and which bird species are most effective for pest control? This data was collected and analysed by a Master student from Vienna Austria with the help of local field assistants and researchers.

להמשך קריאה: Introducing tape luring, a low-cost tool to enhance bio-pest control services by birds in desert agriculture.