We Were Completely Wrong About Why Bugs Are Attracted To Lights (Youtube - Anton Petrov)

[BootinUp]

The answer is a little depressing to Anton.

[StarryNite]

1. Fascinating

While it's hard on the insects it helps other animals such as bats and nighthawks who feed on the insects trapped by the light.

[WestMichRad]

2. We need to learn if specific wavelengths

… of visible light have less of an adverse effect on insects. Or if cycling lights on and off helps them break away from the light.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Text explanation. 15-second read, tops.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a46673248/bugs-dying-in-artificial-light/

Or you can watch a 12-minute video. Your choice.

[BootinUp]

4. Thanks.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Thanks - I don't think "completely wrong" is at all justified

I read, decades ago, that it's not "they are attracted to the light", but that it was they tried to keep a constant angle with the light, mistaking it for the Moon, which would allow them to travel in a straight line. Get too close, and this becomes an orbit. And that can then go wrong (eg become a spiral, leading to death).

So most of that was right, but it was to maintain level flight, not a straight line.