Why are bugs attracted to light?

Question

Why are bugs attracted to light?

Answer 1

I think that with moths it is because they are attracted to the moon

Answer 2

Usually, in a natural situation 'light' means the open space. If a bug is trapped somewhere (say, a hollow tree trunk) then the light is the way out. So it's it's natural behaviour and this way it survives longer.

Only recently we developped artificial light so the bugs get kinda tricked there, thinking it is a good way to go there.

Answer 3

I think it is an instinct to them.

Answer 4

I believe your answer is found here:

Answer 5

i know moths are attracted to the light because they think its the moon,and they fly in the direction of the moon when outside apparently

Answer 6

imagine that you are trap in a cave without torch light, what you will look for in the situation like that. i think the most you would like to look for is light. so in nature all living thing needs light in the darkness. bugs can not think like human, so in the darkness it will attract by light.

Answer 7

they are attracted to the darkest part, which is always behind the light.

Answer 8

i think its the heat, as most bugs love heat

Answer 9

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Say (O Muhammad) Allah is God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone

Answer 10

im not sure maybe cuz they are in the dark most of the time so when they see bright lights its something different to look at. lol =]

Answer 11

I guess it's because its unusual to them.

Answer 12

Insects are attracted to light as they use light to navigate. Scientists "believe that insects that fly at night evolved over millions of years, before humans existed. Before humans existed, there were no artificial lights at night. The only light was the moon, and insects that fly directly towards the moon at night will travel in a straight line. This was therefore a useful behavior for them, helping them navigate in the dark. It is an *instinct*, meaning they don't think about it, they just do it, because over the millions of years they've existed, insects that could navigate at night did better than those that couldn't. Insects that fly towards an artificial light, however, will crash into it, and often hurt themselves. They can't avoid it, because it's an instinct. If we had another few million years to watch the process, eventually insects might stop doing it - but not yet; it's only been a few hundred years."

"Light and colour play an important part in the reactions of insects. The reaction to light is called phototropism. It is well known that many insects are attracted to light, the response to which is often greater than life itself. Light of short wavelengths, such as blue and violet, is usually more attractive to insects than other colours. Experiments have shown that all lights of the same colour do not attract insects proportionally. Much depends upon the intensity.

Although moths are attracted to artificial light, they keep away from sunlight. Butterflies on the contrary are attracted to sunlight but are repelled by artificial light. Butterflies are tuned to high intensities of light and moths to low intensities, so that the bright light attracts the butterflies and feeble light attracts the moths.

Insects generally orient themselves with their heads directly toward or directly away from the light source. Scientists observed that the moth is not attracted by the light but is oriented by it and, in constantly adjusting its head to the light, is drawn into it."

Answer 13

I think it's mostly moths that are attracted to light rather than bugs. Although if you are American, I accept that bugs means something quite different to you than it does to us. Anyway, I think they think it's the moon or something, and they are attracted to it.

Answer 14

Moths navigate using the light of the moon, so they fly towards light. Then humans came along with all their portable "moons" and confused them.

Answer 15

Many insects are attracted to light, and some fly right into the light itself. Moths commonly hover around lights and are active at night. This attraction to light is a response called phototaxis.

When insects fly at night they use light sources such as the moon for navigation. Light from a distant source reaches both eyes with the same intensity. This enables the insect to fly in a straight line with both wings beating at the same rate.

If the light is from a closer source such as a candle or lantern, it changes the insect's perception. The light is perceived stronger in one eye than in the other eye. This causes the wing on one side to move faster. The insect then approaches the light in a spiral path, eventually drawing it into the light itself.

One good way to know if an insect is nocturnal is to look at their antennae. Insects with poor eyesight have longer antennae. Many varieties of beetles have poor eyesight. They use their antennae to move around safely at night.  

hope u got u'r answer

Answer 16

the heat that it emanates

Answer 17

It's pretty and warm, like mom's teet.

Answer 18

is your hot and smart

Answer 19

You ever noticed too how flies outside will head in through a half-open window, then spend the rest of the day trying to get out of the closed half? What's that all about, eh?