I've been wondering...

[Paul Johnson]

George L Smyth wrote:
> 
> I have always wondered why moths are attracted to light.  Can anyone tell me?
> Thank you to anyone that can help.
>         Katie
> --
> 
> Handmade Photographic Images
> http://www2.ari.net/glsmyth/

	Actually, in spite of the evidence of our eyes, most moths are 
not attracted to light, but they do navigate by light sources (moon and 
stars would be the natural sources for a moth flying at night).  the 
phenomenon is called a "light compass," and invovles flying at a constant 
angle to a very distant light source in order to maintain a straight 
flight path.  When the source is nearby (such as our porch lights), they 
spiral into the light as they constantly adjust their angle of flight.
	They eventually arrive, somewhat confused, in the vicinity of the 
light source.

Paul


-- 
Paul C. Johnson               |  "Be sure you're right,
Natural Resources Department  |  then look again."
University of New Hampshire   |     John Henry Comstock
Durham, NH  03824             |http://pubpages.unh.edu/~pcj