Why are inscets attracted to light?

Question

Why are inscets attracted to light?

Answer 1

There are different theories for different insects. The most common is that they use the sun or the moon for navigation. This means all the moths hanging around your porch light in the evening could be mistaking it for the moon. There's also the idea that it helps them know which direction to fly to get higher and farther from danger close to the ground. I don't know much more than that about it but if you do some research I'm sure you'll be able to find other theories out there.

Answer 2

Cos they can't see to fly in the dark. Now THAT'S what I call Rocket Science.

Answer 3

Insects such as moths are positively phototactic, they move towards light, perhaps for navigation, or a natural reaction to move away from the ground if disturbed, away from ground predation. Also, different organisms are attracted to different light intensities, eg moths are attracted to moonlight, but not sunlight, and opposite for butterflies.

For more popular theories check out :

http://www.wisegeek.com/why-are-insects-...