Want to help our precious nocturnal bugs (lemmy.nz)

submitted 6 days ago by FloofahNZ@lemmy.nz to c/newzealand@lemmy.nz

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Want to help our precious nocturnal bugs during Matariki’s longer nights? Turn the lights down low

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/520796/want-to-help-our-precious-nocturnal-bugs-during-matariki-s-longer-nights-turn-the-lights-down-low

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[-] FloofahNZ@lemmy.nz 3 points 3 days ago

I guess the RNZ article was simply saying that turning off, or down, outside lights will prevent insects from being attracted to them and harmed.

In summer with windows open, we pull curtains before turning inside lights on. Not seen insects on the open window side of the curtain even with a low level through glow visible.

I’m not sure about the moonlight theory. As they will head towards a bright artificial light, why aren’t there clouds of insects heading out into space every bright full-moon?

[-] Dave@lemmy.nz 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

It's not that they are heading towards the moon. The overhead moonlight tells them that towards the light is up. They aren't trying to head towards the light, I think one of the articles mentioned insects facing their back to the light. No matter how far they travel, the ground is dark and the sky is slightly lighter, so they can keep themselves level.

With an outdoor light, if they come near it then moving a metre away drastically changes the direction of the light. If they try to keep their back to the light, they end up curving up and around and back towards the light.

It's just a primative orientation system getting messed up by something that wasn't around when they evolved.