Ask Tappity: Science Questions for Kids > Why Are Moths Attracted to Light?
Why Are Moths Attracted to Light?
Moths and other insects love to swarm around light sources at night - why do they do it? Do they know something we don’t know? Watch this video to find out, or read our explanation below!
Scientists Still Don’t Know Why Insects Love Light
The short answer is, nobody knows! Even though humans have been able to observe moths and other insects flying around light at night since humans had campfires, their motive remains an entomological mystery.
Scientists’ Best Guesses
Entomologists, or scientists who study insects, do have some theories to explain this behavior. Moths actually use the Moon to orient themselves while they’re flying. Normally, the Moon is the only bright object around at night, so moths might mistake unnatural light sources for the Moon, messing up their navigation.
Another Theory
Entomologists also think the Moon might be used by insects to indicate a clear space for them to fly through. If the light of the Moon is visible, that means the light has a clear path, so insects could mistake any light source for a clear path to open air.
Moth Facts for Kids
Got moth questions? We’ve got moth answers!
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Moths are attracted to the light - they will fly towards relatively cool light sources, but don’t gather around dim heat sources.
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Moths don’t bite or sting like other insects, so they don’t present a danger to humans.
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Adult moths usually live for around 2-4 months, depending on the species.
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Moths are an important part of the food web of many ecosystems, serving as food sources for animals like birds and mammals. Also, like butterflies, they pollinate flowers as they eat their nectar.
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Most moths are nocturnal, so they are active at night and rest during the day.
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Moth brains are really especially good at detecting contrast, allowing them to see really dim objects as a lot brighter than they otherwise would.
More Answers to Insect Questions from Kids
How do bees find food? How does a caterpillar change into a butterfly? The Tappity Science Library has interactive lessons with answers to those questions and more!
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