Why are bugs attracted to light? - Smarter Every Day 103 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Insects are attracted to light, but scientists still don't fully understand why.

Key Insights

• 🙂 Phototaxis is the behavior in which organisms are attracted to or repelled by light.
• 🙂 Moths and other insects exhibit positive phototaxis, moving towards light sources.
• 🙂 Two main theories suggest that insects use celestial bodies or perceive light as an open space to navigate.
• 🙂 The true reason for insect attraction to light remains unknown.
• 🐛 Bug zappers may not effectively attract only mosquitoes and can harm other beneficial insect populations.
• 😒 Insects may also use other cues like pheromones to navigate and find mates.
• 🙂 Research and study on insect behavior and attraction to light is ongoing.

Transcript

Hey it's me Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. So you've noticed that moths and other bugs sometimes get trapped around a light. Have you ever thought about why? [music] We are in the middle of the Amazon rainforest and we have a huge mercury vapor light that Gerson setup for us. And we are looking at all the different species that have s... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How do insects react to light?

Insects that are attracted to light, such as moths, will move towards it in a behavior known as phototaxis. They are positively phototactic, meaning they are drawn to light sources.

Q: How do researchers study the attraction of insects to light?

Researchers use methods like setting up lights and observing various species that are drawn to it. They take photos, record high-speed videos, and analyze the behaviors of the insects to understand their attraction.

Q: What are the two main theories for why insects are attracted to light?

The first theory suggests that insects use celestial bodies like the sun and moon for orientation. The second theory proposes that insects perceive light as a wide open area and fly towards it to avoid obstacles.

Q: Do bug zappers effectively attract and kill mosquitoes?

Bug zappers may attract more than just mosquitoes, potentially harming other insect populations. Mosquitoes are actually attracted to carbon dioxide, explaining the use of certain attracting compounds in bug zappers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Insects, including moths, are attracted to light in a behavior called phototaxis.

• There are two main theories for why insects are attracted to light: they use heavenly bodies for orientation or they perceive light as a wide open area to fly towards.

• The true reason behind this phenomenon is still unknown, despite years of observation and study.