Submitted by Anubis2059 t3_ybc5zn in explainlikeimfive
iDarick t1_itmmlf5 wrote
Reply to comment by travelinmatt76 in ELI5: how does blue lights attract insects and yellow lights acts like a deterrent? by Anubis2059
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.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments