Interesting facts: Why Insects Fly towards the Light - You Didn't Know About It

07.02.2024 23:00
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:26

There are many theories about why insects fly into light. The article presents the most interesting ones.

Why do insects fly on a light source

When an insect is illuminated in the dark at night, it perceives the beam of light as a way out of a confined space, and therefore flies towards the light.

Another theory for the change is that artificial lighting at night turns on wind turbines, and they use light from the moons and stars to navigate.

However, artificial light sources are brighter - and they speak to them.

Insects are also affected by incandescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, and even gadget screens.

light
Photo:Pixabay

In addition, light is an irritant. The recipe describes the phenomenon of directed movement towards the source of irritation at an angle (that is, the insect does not fly straight towards the irritant!), which is called menotaxis.

How insects perceive light

The gene's eyes are able to determine the power of the light flux (brightness), in addition, they have a unique feature: they can determine the plane of polarization of light.

This ability helps them navigate when the sun is not visible in the sky.

Insects vary in color, but not in the same way as humans.

Previously, we told interesting facts about ants.

Diana Dashkevich Author: Diana Dashkevich Editor internet resource


Content
  1. Why do insects fly on a light source
  2. How insects perceive light