Why are insects attracted to light?
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The sight of insects swarming around lamps is both ancient and well known. But why do so many gather around electric lights? Despite numerous attempts, previous explanations have largely failed—except for one explanation, which accounts for only a small subset of the insects drawn to light. In this study, we propose that insects fly toward the light because it provides the optimal strategy for their nuptial flights. A computer simulation supports this hypothesis. Moreover, our findings reveal that the ecological issue concerning the insect holocaust perpetrated by electric lamps is far more severe than previously assumed, as it disrupts these creatures precisely during their reproduction.
