Why are moths attracted to the light. Once close to a bright light moths probably become blinded disorientated or confused by optical illusions called mach bands that seem to show safe darker areas near the lights edge. Some circle around others zigzag but they all seem to somehow be drawn to lights. Insects that fly at night are attracted to. And theres no reason why uv light should remind moths of sex.
Insects that fly at night are attracted to. Not all moths will be attracted to light and the reasons for positive and negative phototaxis are not clear. Why do moths one of many kinds of insects fly toward light. Why insects like moths are so attracted to bright lights like a moth to a flame er lamp insects are drawn to bright lights because they confuse the animals navigational systems.
Alternatively moths may head skywards towards natural light to escape predators or before high altitude voyages. However there are a number of theories as to why. The latter has however a clear meaning for cave sheltering species like the tissue moth triphosa dubitata which actively flies towards deep dark patches among rocks. Yellow is a wavelength moths dont respond to.
A white light will attract more moths than a yellow light. According to powell ultraviolet light is far more attractive to insects of various kinds including moths than infrared light is. No matter how you answer the question why are moths attracted to light the way people have been mystified by the sight of the moths attraction to light is in itself worth thinking about. Some circle around others zigzag but they all seem to somehow be drawn to lights.
The image of a moth flying into a flame is now part of the collective human consciousness. Another interesting question is.