Light Pollution Contributes to Insect Population Decline, Study Says

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A study has found that artificial light at night is one of the reasons for the diminishing number of insects around the world. The growing concern on the effects of insect decline in ecosystems has urged many researchers to determine its causes. Previous studies have found that habitat loss and climate change are two of the major factors that contribute to insect population decline. Now, new research revealed that, in addition to the hazards mentioned above, light produced by humans can also affect insects negatively. Lead author Brett Seymoure and his team examined 229 existing studies about the effects of artificial light on a wide range of insect species. The scientists noted that light pollution has been increasing as the cost of lighting has become cheaper throughout the years. As more infrastructures use light, especially at night, the effects on insects have also become magnified. Analysis showed that overexposure to light affects how insects grow, hunt for food, and reproduce. For instance, fireflies are highly dependent on the light their bodies emit when finding mates, so light pollution disrupts their mating process. However, unlike the other factors that harm insect populations, the study’s authors said that light pollution is more manageable. The team recommended simple solutions like turning off lights when they are not needed and installing sensors that will make lights activate only when they detect motion. They also recommended putting filters around bulbs to prevent light from scattering beyond where they are needed. Using amber lights may also help as these are less harmful to insects and humans alike.