Anubis2059 OP t1_itfos5h wrote on October 23, 2022 at 8:36 AM

Reply to comment by iDarick in ELI5: how does blue lights attract insects and yellow lights acts like a deterrent? by Anubis2059

It's what I've usually heard about yellow lights acting like a deterrent and have noticed how all bug zappers use blue light to attract insects.

iDarick t1_itfp2fe wrote on October 23, 2022 at 8:40 AM

Look I'm ADHD person, this topic will be carefully researched after I'm back from mushroom hunt. Will keep you posted.

FluffyBoner t1_itig9p2 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 9:47 PM

Hope your mushroom hunt went well

iDarick t1_itkes2s wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:40 AM

It did, thank you! I haven't forgotten about bugs and lights, just was too exhausted. Update coming today!

travelinmatt76 t1_itfqbuf wrote on October 23, 2022 at 8:57 AM

Yellow lights don't repel insects, less insects are attracted to or respond to yellow lights.

iDarick t1_itmmlf5 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:31 PM

Hey! Sorry it took a while, fuck the war. We don't have electricity for the most part of the day.

Well in general I was correct assuming that's not how bugs work. But there is such a thing as light color preference. I've studied Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Coleoptera (beetles), and Hemiptera (true bugs). Each has a slight preference in wavelength (color). However, it's not like any moth won't fly to blue light or any beetle towards orange. There is a clear pattern, but that's not a rule.

However, since that's ELI5:

Moths and butterflies like more orange-> red-> infrared colors.
True bugs are more into blue-> cyan-> green-> yellow
Beetles seems to prefer ultraviolet -> blue-> cyan.

Some nice studies on the topic:
One, Two, Three

Have a wonderful day, take care and keep your mind curious!
Oh and fuck putin.