Why are bugs attracted to light.

Why are bugs attracted to light.

Why do bugs like light.

Why are bugs attracted to light at night

Bugs, especially nocturnal insects like moths, are attracted to light due to a phenomenon called positive phototaxis. This is a natural behavior where organisms move toward light. Here’s why this happens:

1. Navigation Using Light: Many insects, particularly moths, use natural light sources like the moon to navigate at night. They maintain a constant angle relative to the light source to travel in a straight line. However, artificial lights confuse them because they are much closer than the moon, so insects end up circling around the light source instead of flying in a straight line.
2. Attraction to Ultraviolet Light: Some insects, like moths and beetles, are especially sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, which is emitted by many artificial lights. UV light is often a signal for insects to approach, as it can be associated with flowers, which reflect UV light.
3. Heat: Some insects are attracted to the warmth emitted by light sources, especially at night when temperatures drop. The warmth can be an additional draw for certain species.

This behavior is an evolutionary byproduct of their need to navigate using natural light, but artificial light disrupts this instinct.