The diet of the fringed myotis consists mainly of beetles (60 to 73%) and other flying insects, mainly moths (36-40%), which appear later in the evening, as well as arachnids and orthopterans. Additionally, it has been suggested that the wire-like hairs along its interfemoral membrane act to help trap the insects it catches in flight. The fringed myotis has been known to hover, and to land on the ground in search of prey. It forages over water and open habitats, and also gleans from foliage.
