Shedding light with harmonic radar: Unveiling the hidden impacts of streetlights on moth flight behavior.

ABSTRACT: One of the most dramatic changes occurring on our planet is the ever-increasing extensive use of artificial light at night, which drastically altered the environment to which nocturnal animals are adapted. Such light pollution has been identified as a driver in the dramatic insect decline of the past years. One nocturnal species group experiencing marked declines are moths, which play a key role in food webs and ecosystem services such as plant pollination. Moths can be easily monitored within the illuminated area of a streetlight, where they typically exhibit disoriented behavior. Yet, little is known about their behavior beyond the illuminated area. Harmonic radar tracking enabled us to close this knowledge gap. We found a significant change in flight behavior beyond the illuminated area

SUBMITTER: Degen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11494349 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature