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Artificial Lights

All articles tagged with #artificial lights

science1 year ago

The Confusion of Insects: Debunking the Attraction to Light Theory

New research suggests that flying insects are not actually attracted to light, but rather become confused by artificial lights at night, which scramble their innate navigational systems. Insects do not fly directly toward a light source, but tilt their backs toward it, causing midair confusion. This study used motion-capture video to observe how insects react to different light sources, finding that their flight is least disrupted by lights shining straight downward.

via KSL.com|
#artificial-lights#insects#light
science1 year ago

"The Mystery of Insect Attraction to Bright Lights Unraveled"

A new study suggests that artificial lights at night may disrupt flying insects' natural navigation systems, causing them to fly in confusion around porch lamps, street lights, and other artificial lights. Insects do not fly directly toward a light source, but instead tilt their backs toward the light, leading to midair confusion. Researchers attached small sensors to moths and dragonflies to study their flight behavior around lights, finding that insect flight was least disrupted by bright lights shining straight downward.

via VOA Learning English|
#artificial-lights#insects#navigation
science1 year ago

"Insect Attraction to Light: New Research Reveals the Truth"

New research suggests that flying insects are not actually attracted to light, but rather become disoriented by artificial lights at night, causing them to flutter in confusion around sources such as porch lamps and street lights. The study, published in Nature Communications, used motion-capture video to show how insects tilt their backs toward light sources, leading to midair confusion instead of attraction. This disruption of their innate navigational systems may explain why insects circle endlessly around lights and even crash land in their presence.

via PBS NewsHour|
#artificial-lights#entomology#insects
science1 year ago

"Insect Attraction to Light: Unraveling the Confusion"

New research suggests that flying insects are not actually attracted to light, but rather become disoriented by artificial lights at night, causing them to flutter in confusion around sources such as porch lamps and street lights. Insects have a navigational problem and are accustomed to using light as a cue to know which way is up. The study used tiny sensors to film insects' flight behavior and found that they tilt their backs toward the light, leading to midair confusion rather than attraction. This disruption is attributed to the invention of artificial lights, which contradicts insects' natural orientation based on the sky being light and the ground being dark.

via The Associated Press|
#artificial-lights#insects#light
science2 years ago

The Science Behind Insects' Attraction to Artificial Lights.

Insects are attracted to artificial lights due to an older evolutionary response, but flying around them can have deadly consequences. Theories suggest that insects may mistake lights for the moon, use them to escape towards the light or find the dark, or that lights mimic mating pheromones. New research suggests that some insects fly to light as a way to orient themselves, as light usually means up and dark means down. However, the question of how some insects find lights over long distances or why some get stuck and others don't remains unanswered. Researchers recommend reducing lights and avoiding up lighting to protect insects.

via Livescience.com|
#artificial-lights#evolution#insects