Hello.
Some scientists reportedly believe that moths have generally evolved
as nocturnal creatures as a way of avoiding birds. Many birds eats
moths, but insect-eating birds typically do not fly at night.
" But why do moths fly at night in the first place? In fact, there are
many that do fly during the day, but the majority are night-fliers.
Again, there is only a theory for this: it is thought that moths have
adapted to fly at night because birds don't. Birds eat insects of all
types, so it behooves insects to avoid them."
source:
Iain MacLeod, Audubon Society of New Hampshire, N.H. Public Radio
http://www.nhpr.org/view_content/7023/
The premise of your question seems to be that if moths are drawn to
light, they should be flying around in the daylight when there is
plenty of light. However, scientists offer several theories on why
some moths are attracted to artificial light at night but not
daylight. Some suggest that moths use moonlight as a navigation tool
and are thus confused by artificial lights. Others point out that
moths eat nectar from night-blooming flowers and that such flowers
reflect ultraviolet light from the moon. Artificial light may have a
similar effect.
See:
"Light is a way in which insects find food. Moths at night are
probably seeking night blooming flowers that reflect ultra violet
light or certain light colors from the moon. The moths recognize the
reflected light as a food source. That means the light may be the way
the recognize food; it is difficult for them to distinguish the light
from a bulb from that of a plant. Others may be active at night to
avoid predators. If you are to look under leaves at night, you will
find some moths who prefer daylight waiting for the sun to return so
they can find food."
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/dec96/843354316.Ev.r.html
Also see:
"How Stuff Works - Why are moths attracted to light?"
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question675.htm
"Why do moths come to light?"
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/index.html?/species/moth_faqs/004.html
"Why are moths attracted to lights..."
by Dr. James K. Adams, Dalton State College
http://butterflies.freeservers.com/moth_light.html
Desert Museum: Nocturnal Navigators
http://www.desertmuseum.org/education/4-6_Creatures_navigators.pdf
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search strategy:
moths "night because"
moths "night blooming"
I hope this helps. |