Why moths are attracted to light − increased barrier effects through street lighting
Thursday, September 8, 2016 - 08:01
in Biology & Nature
Light at night changes animals' behaviour. A study conducted by the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries shows that moths are attracted to street lamps within a radius of approximately 23 metres. The number of specimens attracted depends on the position of the street lamp: on the border of dark zones, more moths are attracted to the light than in an area's centre where many lamps are used. Considering the standard distance between lamp posts in Europe, the nightscape appears fragmented to moths. This causes them to lose valuable time and energy at the lamps, so that increasing lighting may decrease their abundance.