After it stops raining after a heavy down power in the evening numerous moths start flying flying away towards the source of light when it becomes dark. We have been seeing this natural phenomenon right from our childhood but could not even think about the reason behind it.
There are some theories behind this suicidal attraction towards burning objects, electric bubs, or the kerosene lamps. But none of them is realistic one.
Moths do not come out of their holes during natural lights. They come out when all the natural sources of light are gone or are far away.
According to Jerry Powell, entomologists of California University moths are dazzled by the light and are attracted somehow. Some entomologists are of the opinion that it is their behaviour of transverse orientation that moths navigate by flying at a constant angle relative to a distance source of light like bright moon. But the angle to the source of artificial light changes as moths start flying. In this way they become confused.
On the evolutionary time scales electric bulbs are new for moths. The natural selection might have killed off moths whose natural instinct tells them to go kamikaze every time they feel blinded by the light!
Another theory suggests that moths are attracted to artificial lights under the false belief that they are females sending out sex signals. The male moths are highly attracted to the artificial light attempting to mate with the artificial light. But this theory too has its own hole. …And the question still remains- Why do moths fly towards artificial lights?
Key Words: Self destroying attraction, moths, theory,
