Friday Factoid: Moths Aren't Attracted to Light!
Welcome to the first Friday Factoid of March 2007!
Today I'm asking...
"How do moths feel about flames?"
Most people think that moths are attracted to lights and flames. We've all seen that Disney film, where the moth is flying toward the lamp:
"But it's sooo beautiful!" he groans.
Well, brace yourself... as another world myth is shattered.
You see, moths aren't attracted to flames. They're just disoriented by them.
We human types with our lights and candles have only been around for a relatively short period of time - in comparison with evolution, at least.
And evolution has taught moths to fly in a straight line by using the position of the only two natural sources of light: the sun and the moon.
Moths are actually incredible intelligent creatures. They expect light from the sun and moon to hit their eyes in exact positions during certain times of the day. From this, they figure out how to fly in a straight line to their destination.
But then along comes Edison with his light bulb -- and suddenly -- "D'OH!"
Why?
Well, the moth expects the sun and moon to be in a relatively stationary position. Then it sees your lantern and presumes that this is the sun (or moon). But the "sun" is moving, so the moth thinks "Wow, I must be curving! I'm no longer going in a straight line!"
So Mr Moth tries to correct its flight. Evolution has taught it to fly while keeping that light in a relatively stationary position.
As the light source is so close, the only way it can do that is by flying round and round in circles.
And so that's why moths flutter around lights.
They're just trying to travel in a straight line - albeit rather unsuccessfully.
But don't worry too much. In a couple of million years, Mother Nature will catch up :)
Have a great Friday!
Labels: factoids
by Karl
3:43 AM
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