Moths are less attracted to light than they used to be

A new study produces evidence showing that light traps for moths are becoming less effective over the past 25 years. They use data on one pest species, the Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea), for which the moth's prevalence over time has been monitored using light traps (using fluorescent black-light bulbs) and pheromone traps operating in close proximity.

The paper is publicly available: Ian Battles et al., “Moths are less attracted to light traps than they used to be” Journal of Insect Conservation, published 19 April 2024 (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10841-024-00588-x ). New York Times subscribers may also wish to read commentary on the article in the April 19, 2024 issue (Veronique Greenwood, “Like Moths to a Flame: We May Need a New Phrase”).

Posted on April 24, 2024 08:17 PM by amacnaughton