White-nose Syndrome Information

White-nose Syndrome (National Wildlife Health Center and USGS)

Investigating White-nose Syndrome in Bats
Culprit Identified: Fungus Causes Deadly Bat Disease
White-nose Syndrome Messaging: From the White-nose Syndrome Communications and Outreach Working Group

Catherine J. Hibbard
National WNS Communications Leader
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region
(413) 253-8569
catherine_hibbard@fws.gov

WNS is caused by a recently discovered non-native fungus called Geomyces destructans which loves cold weather
Bats save us billions of dollars every year in agriculture by helping us mitigate expenditures on pest control
They are economically and ecologically vital! By regulating insect populations every night (eating up to half their body weight each night) they benefit humans, forest, other animals, and our crops
They are economically and ecologically vital! By regulating insect populations every night (eating up to half their body weight each night) they benefit humans, forest, other animals, and our crops
Imagine if 50% of bats where no longer here!? How many more insects would be here!?

The National Wildlife Research Center is the federal institution devoted to resolving problems caused by the interaction of wild animals and society.