Have you heard of the smallest bat in Maryland, the tricolored bat? They weigh only 6 grams, and have a body length of just slightly over 3 inches. Despite their tiny size, they play a big role in pest control by eating a number of insects that endanger crops. This Bat Appreciation Month and every month, we're saying thank you to the tricolored bat and all bats in the Bay region as they play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recent studies estimate that bats eat enough pests to save more than $1 billion per year in crop damage and pesticide costs in the United States corn industry alone. 📷: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service