The Large Bent-wing Bat, Miniopterus schreibersii, sometimes called the Common Bent-wing Bat, was also known as Eastern Bent Wing Bat, Miniopterus oceanensis prior to 1982. They are consistently larger than the Little Bent-wing Bat, Miniopterus australis.

Within Australia there are three sub-species of Large Bent-wing Bats:

• Miniopterus schreibersii orianae, which occurs in northern Australia
• Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis, which occurs in eastern Australia, from Queensland to central Victoria; including Manna Park and Mandeni
• Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii, which occurs in western Victoria and South Australia.

Miniopterus genus of Bent-wing bats, is distinguished from other bat genus, by the long last bone in the third wing digit; about 4 times the length of the middle phalanx. This gives the impression of a bent wing. They often have conspicuous fly parasites. The tail membrane attaches to the ankle, so that the hind foot protrudes prominently.

The Large Bent-wing Bat has a forearm length is great than 44mm, usually 46 – 49.3mm. They weigh 9 – 16 grams.

The Large Bent-wing Bat has a very broad distribution; including southern Europe, southern Africa, Japan, south-east Asia, and from the Gulf of Carpentaria down the east coast of Australia. They inhabit a wide range of forests, woodlands and grasslands. They are cave dwelling, but may also utilise old mines, road culverts and storm water drains. A Large Bent-wing Bat was captured in a harp trap in the Tea-tree forest at Mandeni.

The Large Bent-wing Bat flies at 50km/h, at an altitude of 6m to 50m above the ground, as they forage for moths or other large insects.

Photo of Large Bent-wing Bat flying, photographer unknown.	Photo of Large Bent-wing Bat on tree, G. Baker, from Australian Museum: Click on thumbnail for slightly larger image

Sources of information:

Christidis, L., & Cardinal, B. (2000) Mitochondrial DNA and morphology reveal three geographically distinct lineages of the large bentwing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) in Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology, 48(1), 1-19.

HERG (2005) Miniopterus schreibersii , The Henipavirus Ecology Collaborative Research Group.

Parnaby, H. (1999). An Interitn Guide to Identification of Insectivorous Bats of South-eastern Australia, available from the Australian Museum.

Shields, J. M., & Larsen, E. (2010). The Proposed Bansias Development (Including the Mandeni Neighbourhood Community) Lot 472, Environmental Assessment. Commerical-in-confidence. Local Environment Solutions. Tura Beach.