Insects have long been attracted to light, and humans have been using this knowledge to trap them for centuries. However, a recent study conducted by a team of researchers reveals that the insects’ attraction to light is not as straightforward as it seems. In fact, the study suggests that insects use light sources to orient their flight, but artificial light often disorients them, leading to fatal consequences.
The team of researchers, led by biologist Jamie Theobald from Florida International University, set out to investigate this phenomenon. They conducted field recordings in a Costa Rican cloud forest, where they observed the insects’ behavior in the presence of an artificial light source. The insects were seen “orbiting,” “stalling,” and “inverting” around the light, indicating that they were trying to make sense of it.
To further understand this behavior, the researchers conducted lab experiments using diurnal dragonfly species and nocturnal moths. They recorded 538 flight trajectories between the four species and found that the insects did not steer into the light as previously believed. Instead, they turned their backs towards the light and used it as a guide for their flight.
The team explained that under natural sky light, tilting their dorsum (backs) towards the brightest visual hemisphere helps insects maintain proper flight attitude and control. However, near artificial light sources, this dorsal-light-response can cause continuous steering around the light, trapping the insects instead.
The findings of this study shed new light on the seemingly erratic flying patterns of insects around artificial light sources. It turns out that these patterns are actually the insects’ failed attempts to navigate and make sense of the artificial light. The irony lies in the fact that bug zappers, which are designed to attract and kill insects using light, inadvertently lead to their demise as the insects try to follow the light’s guidance.
This research challenges our previous understanding of why insects are attracted to light and highlights the unintended consequences of using artificial light as a means of trapping them. It also raises questions about the impact of artificial light on insect populations and ecosystems.
In conclusion, insects’ attraction to light is not a happy tale. While humans have been using light to trap insects for centuries, a new study reveals that insects are not actually drawn to the light. Instead, they use it as a guide for their flight, and artificial light often disorients them, leading to fatal consequences. This research provides valuable insights into the behavior of insects and the unintended consequences of using artificial light as a means of trapping them.