Insectivorous bats in semi-arid agroecosystems − effects on foraging activity and implications for insect pest control

•We used acoustic monitoring to assess species richness and bat activity in a semi-arid Mediterranean agro ecosystem.•We predicted that landscape heterogeneity will positive effect bat activity and species richness, while human disturbance will have a negative effect.•Bat activity in orchards and in field crops increased with a greater percentage of natural land cover in the agro ecosystem.•Landscape heterogeneity had a positive effect while agrochemicals had a negative effect on bat activity.•Management schemes in these agro ecosystems may increase their suitability as habitats for insectivorous bats.