Why do moths fly to the light?
Source:Despite the fact that some butterflies prefer to be active only at night, any light source opens the way for unusual activity.
Perhaps you may have noticed that summer night a large number of moths and all kinds tend to be closer to fly up to a bright light, which immediately kills them. This is usually very annoying, but in nature there is a specific explanation. What caused such a phenomenon of mass suicide, and what is it for nature?
Why insects are so fond of the light?
Scientists from ancient times trying to find the answer to why some leading primarily nocturnal, literally mesmerizing in any light source. Forgetting about their own safety, butterflies (and not only them) fly up as close as possible to the lamps and open fire, describing the unusual trajectory of his flight, which was first noticed in 1917, the scientist Werner von Buddenbrock.
The Researcher first described the movement as a logarithmic spiral, the center of which is situated the source of light and heat. In other words, attracted by the light, insects don't hover in a random order around the bulbs, and submitting some hitherto unknown laws.
an Example of what it looks like logarithmic spiral
Famous scientist of the XX century Vladimir Borisovich Chernyshev expressed the theory that butterflies are losing because of the bright light, feel an instinctive desire as soon as possible to get away from possible danger. Due to the fact that under normal conditions such a defensive reaction is always directed towards the light, the insects are lost, and instead to fly off to a safe distance, the butterflies fall into a vicious circle, continuing to fly towards the lamp or the fire, considering them the only safe area. In addition, experiencing the exact same feeling, insects seek the flickering monitor and just to any lit area. After reaching its destination, the butterflies calm down and stop believing that the day came and we can safely rest and not to fall into the clutches of .
Attracted to the light, the butterfly loses control of its own security.
Well, if the lamp is too hot... well, the result of the interaction between the butterfly and the light we can observe, every summer at night.
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