PhD defence Gabriel Charvalakis
Gabriel Charvalakis (NeuBio)
Promotores: Prof. R.A. Hut, Prof. M.E. Visser; Copromotor: Dr K. Spoelstra (NIOO)
More than a moth to a flame
Spatiotemporal responses of insects to light at night
Artificial light at night is becoming more common, especially in cities, but its effects are often underestimated. This research explored how different types of light affect insect attraction to light and their development. The study found that insects are not randomly attracted to light. Instead, their response depends on the species and the type of light used. In general, insects are more attracted to short-wavelength light, such as ultraviolet and blue light, than to longer wavelengths like red light. However, not all insects behave the same way. For example, moths are strongly attracted to ultraviolet light, while mosquitoes also respond to green light or mixtures of colors. This means that simply removing blue light from lamps is not enough to protect insects. A better solution is to combine several strategies, such as reducing brightness, choosing safer light colors, and dimming lights to levels below the point where insects start to gather. The timing of light illumination during the night is also important. Many insects are active during specific hours of the night. By reducing lighting during peak insect activity, cities can lower harmful effects. The research also tested camera systems using artificial intelligence to monitor insects automatically. These systems worked about as well as humans. Overall, the findings show that smarter lighting systems can help protect insects