Some species of flying insects (usually moths and flies) circle the lamps incessantly. Although the reason for this is not known exactly, there are different theories on the subject.
found in insects photoreceptor cells it enables them to detect different wavelengths of light such as infrared and ultraviolet. Thanks to these abilities, they use light for purposes such as determining direction, finding food, and protecting themselves from dangers.
This is what people perceive differently. wavelengths They determine their direction at night. Artificial lights such as street lamps cause insects to be unable to use their abilities, and insects become unable to navigate in the dark.
Apart from photoreceptor cells and wavelength of light, another possible reason is thought to be the inability of insects to use sunlight and moonlight.
Using these natural lights, insects determine their direction, the distance between the light source and the light source due to artificial lights. angle of incidence of light loses these abilities as it changes markedly.
Insects light up from natural light sources with a fixed angle But since artificial lights scatter light in all directions, this causes insects to hold a fixed angle. As they fly, their angles with the light source get narrower and they start to revolve around artificial light sources.
To reduce the effects of this situation, which negatively affects insects, you can use yellow tones instead of blue light.
‘Cause while the blue light surprises the bugs more The effect of yellow light is low. It is also a better option for humans because yellow lights are more economical. According to a study using 8887 insects and spiders, incandescents attract insects the most.
Fluorescent lamp, halogen lamp, LED lamp with cold color temperature and yellow lamp follow incandescent respectively. The lamp type that attracts insects the least is LEDs. in your home yellow LED light By using it, you can get rid of the infestation of insects and you will be doing them a favor.
“Phototaxy”, which is defined as the positive or negative reaction of living things to light, may also be one of the answers to this question.
“Photo” means “light” in Greek, and “tax, taxo” means “arrangement”. Insects with positive phototaxis such as moths and flies turn to the source when they see a light source, such as cockroaches. negative phototaxis Insects, on the other hand, tend to flee when they see light.
Most naturally occurring cyanobacteria do positive phototaxis because they require light to photosynthesize. in insects brought by evolution Positive or negative phototaxis develops for various reasons. Apart from phototaxy, there are also taxi methods such as chemotaxis, hydrotaxy, gravitaxy, aerotaxy, and electrotaxis.
Insects can sometimes land on your clothes for a similar reason.
Some flowers that insects see as their “main food” reflect ultraviolet rays, which attracts them. Patterns on your clothes due to the rays reflected by some colors. the inside that they perceive as a flowerThey can land on you.
Now you know the possible causes when you see a swarm of insects swarming into the light. Stay with science.
Sources: TUBITAK, Science in 2 Minutes (NTV), IFL Science