Illuminating Changes: The Effect of Urban Light Pollution on Flying Insects

Abstract

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a growing ecological problem. Its use has expanded rapidly in recent years in line with urbanisation, introducing light to areas and time periods it is not normally found. Research has identified ALAN as a cause of disruption to the natural behaviours and circadian rhythms of insects, ultimately increasing mortality. Insect biomass has declined by over 75% in the past 30 years, therefore, understanding ways to mitigate further loss is vital. ALAN cannot be eliminated as it allows humans to carry out vital tasks outside of the natural photoperiod; with this in mind, investigation into and limiting its harmful properties is the best way forward. This study aimed to determine the impact of varying artificial light intensities on the abundance, biodiversity, and time of arrival of insects at urban lampposts at six urban sites in the Netherlands. We found that for Dipterans, the most common taxa, attraction/abundance increased with light intensification. Other taxa, including Psocoptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera, were only significantly more attracted to high light intensities. Biodiversity and insect time of arrival were not significantly impacted by intensity but may be linked to a different property of ALAN. These findings suggest that dimming artificial light sources in urban areas could reduce insect attraction to ALAN, mitigating its negative consequences. 

Keywords

Artificial light at night (ALAN), insect behaviour, urbanisation, light intensity, biodiversity, circadian rhythms, phototaxis, conservation, artifical light at night (ALAN), insect behaviour, urbanisation, light intensity, biodiversity, circadian rhythms, phototaxis, conservation

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