The popular belief that street lighting is attractive to common bats has been discredited, according to new research.

The study found that bat activity was generally lower in street-lit areas than in dark locations with similar habitat.

The scientists said the findings had important implications for conservation – overturning the previous assumption that common bats benefited from street-lights because they could feed on the insects that congregated around them.

The research, which was carried out by scientists from the University of Exeter and Bat Conservation Ireland, found that the activity of soprano pipistrelle, noctule and serotine bats was similar or lower in areas with street lighting compared with dark areas.

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Source: Irish Independent