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Most insects are more attracted to blacklight than to either
incandescent or white florescent light.
The researchers suggests that it is because of their (the light's)
near-ultraviolet wavelength. Light bulbs are mostly incandescent, producing
little ultraviolet light but mostly visible light. Fluorescent lights emit
higher levels of UV. I understand that "other lights such as mercury vapor
globes produce even more UV and are particularly attractive to moths and
beetles."
This attraction (or repulsion in the case of cockroaches and other
dark seeking bugs) is called phototaxis. Cockroaches have negative phototaxis
while moths have positive phototaxis.
An insect's attraction to light MIGHT have to do with the moon. It is
thought by many that moths navigate by the moon. When they see light on the
porch they fly towards that, thinking it is the moon. When they are circling
the bulb, it is because they sense that they have flown past the moon and,
confused, circle back.
However, one report, cited below as a source, suggests that no one
yet understands why moths fly towards light, but they fly straight to it --
until a certain point. (The experiments this one guy did about this are
somewhat comical! -- See straightdope source.) They circle the light in what is
referred to as the Mach Band that appears around the light. The Mach Band,
apparently, is an area that (because of a gap in the field of vision) appears
darker than the other areas around the bulb, thus providing the moth with a
feeling of safety as he actually flies in what he perceives to be the darkest
place.
Not all insects are attracted to light. Many nocturnal insects are
actually repelled by light -- examples being the bedbug and the carpet bug.
Mosquitoes are attracted by carbon dioxide, and light seems to have no
influence on them.
For more details, visit http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/PostResource.aspx?ResourceType=1
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| Author: Raghav 27 Jun 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 |
Lavanya,
it is a very good article and useful to all of the science student members of ISC website. You seem to be genius. You have clearly explained the reason. Anyone can understand it. Keep posting such articles in future.
raghav
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| Author: Lavanya Manohar 05 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Silver Points : 0 |
Thanks a lot for your response , Raghav ! People are more credited by your resources only . You are even a mentor now know . Very great . You have a resource like online tutors for U.S & U.K students . All the very best yar .
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| Author: Raghav 05 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 1 |
Thank you Lavanya for your comment about my resources. Yeah I am a mentor now. I can guide you and anyone in this site. you can check out my other resources and offer your valuable comments.
raghav
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| Author: Lavanya Manohar 07 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
I prepared this resource as it would be helpful to all arts & science students . Hope it'll help them a lot !
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| Author: Raghav 07 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 1 |
Yes Lavanya,
it will definitely be useful to all arts and science students, especially for science students. Please bring out more such articles. Hope you will write more such articles in science. Definitely it will help all science students.
raghav
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