why are bugs drawn to light?
12094
Bugs Use Light to Navigate Many believe that insects use natural light sources like the moon or sun to help them navigate, similar to how sailors used to rely on the stars to guide their ships. So, when a insect sees your porch light, it flies towards the source.
1380389
The answer is both yes and no. Light is made up of multiple wavelengths, so bugs will still be able to see your light in some manner. Even with a yellow light bulb, some blue light will be emitted, which insects can see -- they just have more trouble seeing it than they otherwise would.
1290286
They're just enjoying their time like you do at the beach. These insects were attracted by the heat in a cool night. Finally, many insects (and a myriad of other animals) are attracted by light bulbs at night because they're popular.
856645
They use sunglasses/dim glasses for protection. Since they are known for having the characteristics of insects, we can assume that they have crepuscular vision and some have nocturnal traits - meaning that they are most active in twilight/low light/night. Their eyes are highly adapted on low light.
1011326
Entomologists have found that moths are less attracted to artificial lights during the week of the full moon than they are during the new moon week, and this observation sparked yet another theory. ... "But that's ridiculous, because they can't carry on their life cycles if they're flying to the moon."
479897
It's due to flies having phototaxis, the same attraction to light that moths have. White cars reflect more light than other colors, and so flies are more attracted to it.
970407
Fireflies light up after dark in order to attract mates. Since fireflies are nocturnal insects, they spend most of their daylight hours on the ground amongst tall grasses. Long grass helps to hide fireflies during the day, so you're unlikely to see them unless you're on your hands and knees looking for them.
262219
Like many flying insects, moths are able to find their way partly by using light as a compass. ... As it does so, it spirals in toward the light and might end up drawn into the flame. Another theory says that light sources which emit ultraviolet light as well as visible light attract moths.
389808
Why do terrestrial lights flicker at night when you see them from a distance? ... Like the water, the atmosphere is moving around and warping the light-waves as they travel trough the air. This warping is also driven by temperature and pressure differences in the atmosphere.
872793
Lovebug adults are attracted to light-colored surfaces, especially if they are freshly painted, but adults congregate almost anywhere, apparently reacting to the effects of sunlight on automobile fumes, asphalt, and other products affected by environmental factors still not completely understood.
1374909
Bugs naturally are attracted to vibrant colors such as orange, yellow, or white. Colours such as blue and green will not register as vividly when viewed in the ultraviolet spectrum, which deters bugs away from those colored items.
937022
When flies see ultraviolet light, they are naturally lured in the direction of the source of UV rays. The light from an ultraviolet trap gives the fly the impression that it is flying in the easiest path. Certain flies (such as the Vinegar Fly) are not impressed by ultraviolet.
1025070
Attraction to Light Bees and wasps are attracted to light--including a porch light if they are out of the hive when it is illuminated. While bees usually do not fly at night, if a predator has disturbed the hive, they might come out and head for the porch light.
564829
Turn off the lights. Stink bugs are attracted to lights, so it's recommended to keep outdoor lighting to a minimum. During the evenings, turn off porch lights and pull down window blinds to prevent light from spilling outside.
1371403
Many people confuse June bugs as being blind because they constantly bump into things when flying/ walking. They are just naturally clumsy organisms. Coincidentally, while June bugs are attracted to projecting lights, if exposed to light for too long they can die as their bodies aren't made to be in light constantly.
1236278
The color that's emitted from a light source is important because of its ability to attract bugs. As previously stated, shorter wavelengths (UV, blue, and green light) are more visible to bugs than longer wavelengths (yellow, orange, and red light) and, therefore, will attract them.
1075708
Bed bugs are most active at night and feed during your sleep. The reason for this is bed bugs are sensitive to light and are attracted to gases and pheromones we emit.