Introduction: the mystery of insects’ attraction to light

One of the most puzzling behaviors exhibited by insects is their attraction to light. For many years, scientists have been trying to understand why insects are so drawn to artificial lights, such as streetlights, porch lights, and even bug zappers. While some researchers have proposed various theories, the mystery of insects’ fascination with light remains largely unsolved.

How insects see light: the role of photoreceptors

Insects’ eyes are different from human eyes, and they perceive light in a different way. They have compound eyes, which consist of many tiny lenses, each with its own photoreceptor. These photoreceptors are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, ranging from ultraviolet to infrared. This allows insects to see a much wider spectrum of light than humans can.

Insects also have simple eyes, called ocelli, which can detect the intensity and direction of light. The combination of compound eyes and ocelli allows insects to navigate in their environment, find food, and avoid predators. However, this complex visual system also makes insects more susceptible to artificial light sources, which can disrupt their natural behavior.