We went camping and of course when you camp with kids you get questions. One of the questions was, "Why are there so many moths flying around our lantern at night?" I was hoping to come up with a definitive answer but instead I found theories.
Here is what seems to be the consensus. Moths are not actually attracted to the light, but distracted by it. In their nocturnal flight they use the moon to triangulate and position themselves and fly. They also use the light of the moon reflecting off of flowers to detect food sources. So whatever the source of light that moths are fluttering about... It seems more to either distract or confuse than attract.
Once they get too close to the light, it is difficult or impossible to triangulate their position in their flight path with regard to the moon, so in their confusion they flutter around the light source until they become tired and then rest near the light. Some also say that they rest because the artificial light source (or flames of a fire) tricks them into "thinking" the sun is out-- so being nocturnal, they settle down to sleep.
The reason moths move towards light also has to do with photo taxis. Photo taxis is the insects automatic response either to move towards or away from light. While moths move towards light, other nocturnal pests (like cockroaches) automatically move away from light. Photo taxis is the reason cockroaches scurry when the lights come on-- the response is automatic.
It's not definitive, but at least something better than "Well... I really don't know!"
Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
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www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
"Why are moths attracted to light?" How Stuff Works 1998-2012
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/insects-arachnids/question675.htm
Stevenson, Alexa: Research Penn State, Probing Questions:"Why are moths attracted to light" 20 October, 2008 http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/moths.html
NPR Transcript Elliot, Debbie: "Why are moths attracted to Flame?" All Things Considered 18, Aug 2007 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12903572
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