Under the lovely peaceful night, we’ve all observed insects dance around artificial lights. This nocturnal phenomenon has been studied for decades, and a recent Imperial College London study has explained the insects’ remarkable behaviour.
Research suggests that insects do not natively prefer lights. Due to disorientation, they may accidentally fall into a sensory trap. Throughout evolution, insects have used sky brightness to identify vertical direction for 370 million years. The study’s lead author, Samuel Fabian, said, “Insects use the brightest region as a compass, and thus which way is up.”
Insect flight relies on this basic behaviour to navigate efficiently. Despite artificial light disrupting this basic rule of direction. Bright patches from streetlights and other sources cause insects to misjudge their orientation at night, resulting in dancing patterns around lights.
The study used high-speed infrared cameras to track moths and dragonflies. It found that insects migrate along the light source and change their flight path if it is not aligned with their backs.
Dr Fabian notes that evening light pollution affects wildlife, circadian rhythms, and astronomers as well as insects. However, artificial light is necessary, but the research provides ways to mitigate its negative consequences. Simple improvements like motion-activated lights can reduce light pollution without affecting performance.
The nighttime ballet of insects is wonderful, but artificial lights may be causing them to do more than mating. Exploring nature’s secrets reveals that even everyday phenomena have amazing mysteries.
