Why do insects like light and emit light? It turns out that this is the truth

Jakarta –

At night, people need lights to illuminate the surrounding environment which is starting to get dark. However, the light is enjoyed not only by people, but also by insects.

Often, the light that comes from lamps attracts insects. These animals go around light bulbs, lanterns, and similar light sources.

Unfortunately, for centuries this phenomenon has occurred, the exact reason has not been found. For this reason, a biological researcher from Imperial College London Samuel T Fabian and colleagues tried to solve the question “Why do insects like light?”

Not like, but stuck

The research team found that insects do not like to go around the light, but are trapped because they misunderstand the light’s signal. This incorrect capture causes the insect to lose control of its flight direction until it circles around the burning light.

In the journal Nature CommunicationFabian and his colleagues explained that insects usually turn their backs to the light. This behavior, known as the dorsal light response, helps the animal establish the correct direction for flight.

However, because the ridge is in front of the lamp, the insects circle the circular top continuously. At the same time, when he flies directly above the light bulb, his back is below and his stomach is above, so he can suddenly fall from the sky.

Fabian and colleagues obtained the results of this study through the analysis of high-speed video recordings of insects. From the video, they discovered how artificial light at night affects the flight behavior of insects.

Based on the results of studies in campus laboratories as well as the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and Estacion Biologica Monteverde, Costa Rica, the flight patterns of trapped insects around the light do not correspond to their usual patterns.

Why do insects tend to get trapped in lamplight?

Researchers say insects may be more susceptible to light because of their small size. At the same time, flying animals are also less likely to lose direction just when they are flying.

They explain that larger animals can feel gravity directly with sensory organs attracted by acceleration. For example, humans have a vestibular system in the inner ear that can regulate the sense of balance and direction.

“However, insects have only small sensory structures. Especially when they are moving fast in flight, acceleration provides misleading information about the direction of flight,” the researchers wrote.

Reduce Light Pollution

It turns out that insects are not the only creatures that have problems with light. Light pollution can disrupt circadian rhythms and physiological processes in animals, plants, and even humans. This problem can cause serious health problems.

According to researchers, light pollution makes it difficult for insects to find food, is vulnerable to being seen by predators, and gets tired easily. As a result, many insects die before dawn.

In fact, light pollution is a very easy problem to fix, such as turning off the lights when not needed. Limit outdoor lighting to a warm, bright light, then turn the lights on as needed at certain times of the day.

“Although insects that circle around lights look attractive, it would be better for them if we leave the night without lights. Therefore, they can do their activities under the night sky ,” emphasized the researcher.

Original article in The Conversation written by researchers postdoctoral bioengineering Imperial College London Samuel Fabian, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Florida International University, and researcher postdoctoral fellow began entomologi Yash Sondhi dari McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida.

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