Bat Species of the Piedmont Region (Eastern USA)

The Piedmont—rolling hills between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Blue Ridge Mountains (stretching NJ to AL)—hosts diverse bat communities. Common species include:

Resident / Breeding Species

• Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): Most common; roosts in buildings, bridges; year-round resident.
• Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus): Formerly abundant; decimated by White-Nose Syndrome (WNS); caves/mines.
• Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis): Foliage-roosting; migratory; distinctive red fur.
• Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus): Largest eastern bat; migratory; tree-roosting.
• Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis): Building/tree roosts; southern Piedmont.
• Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus): Small; caves/mines; severely hit by WNS.
• Southeastern Myotis (Myotis austroriparius): Southern Piedmont/Coastal Plain; caves, bridges.

Seasonal / Rare

• Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans): Migrant.
• Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis): Endangered (WNS); northern Piedmont.
• Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis): Endangered; western edge.
• Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii): Southern; rare.

Conservation Status

• White-Nose Syndrome (fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans) has killed >90% of Myotis spp. since 2006.
• Habitat loss (forest fragmentation, dead tree removal).
• Wind turbine mortality (migratory species).
• Protection: Federal/state endangered listings; cave gating; bat-friendly bridge design.

Ecological Role

Insectivores: consume agricultural pests, mosquitoes, moths — estimated $3.7B/year US pest control value. Pollination/seed dispersal (nectar bats) not in Piedmont.

For current county-level records, consult state wildlife agency or Bat Conservation International range maps.