Note on Haematozoa observed in a Bat and the occurrence of Acanthia pipistrelli Jenyns in South Africa

Abstract

Some months ago a bat flew into my house at Grahamstown and was captured. Unfortunately the animal was fatally injured. It was placed in a tobacco-box and on opening the box next day a lively insect like a common bed-bug (Acanthia lectularia) and emiting a similar odour was found in the fur behind the bat's neck. The bug was sent to Mr C. W. Mally, M. Sc., Entomologist to the Eastern Province, for identification and he kindly determined the species as being Acanthia pipistrelli Jenyns, adding that the specimen agreed very well with the description given by Jenyns. Mr Mally wrote, “In the absence of the Northern specimens of this species I cannot express an opinion as to varietal characters. This specimen is of especial importance because there is apparently no record of its occurrence in these parts, nor has the species of bat in connection with which it was first discovered been found at the Cape”. Through the kind intermediation of Mr Mally the bat was forwarded to Professor Duerdin of the Rhodes University, who determined the species to be Vespertilio capensis, “The Cape Serotine Bat”. Prof. Duerdin states it is “apparently one of the commonest of South African bats, but we do not seem to have many”.