Hello ,

Everyone has seen that insects gather around outside lights at night and thus know that insects are attracted to light. The question is: Why are insects attracted to light?

A few theories have been put forward to try and explain why insects are attracted to light.

The most commonly accepted theory is that insects use light rays from the sun and moon to navigate. They do so by keeping the light rays at a constant angle and in doing so they achieve a straight line in travel. In the case where an artificial light source is introduced to the environment, the light rays are disseminated out in the shape of the spokes of a bicycle wheel. When an insect reaches the rays of an artificial light and tries to keep the light rays at a constant angle, this then causes the insect to spiral towards the light until it ends up at the light source.

Another theory is that insects will fly directly to a light source because, a light source should indicate a direct, unobstructed path to their destination. Upon reaching the light the insect will crash into the light as it is the end of the unobstructed path.

The last theory applies to predators specifically, because it is believed that predatory insects learn that there are an abundance of food available at artificial light sources. The predator will thus wait at the light until the prey delivers itself like fast food!

Which of these theories do you think is the most accurate?

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Light trapping just after sunset!! Why are insects attracted to light? — www.youtube.com

Today we light trap for some insects just after sunset! We've set up the light trap just after sunset to see what we can catch! There are a few very interest...