Tag

Flight Behavior

All articles tagged with #flight behavior

science19 days ago•7 min saved

Mosquitoes Target Humans Using CO2 and Dark Cues, Not by Following Each Other

Georgia Tech and MIT researchers tracked hundreds of female Aedes aegypti in 3D to show each mosquito independently uses visual cues and CO2 to fly toward humans; the strongest attraction occurs when both cues are present, causing swarming and feeding around the head and shoulders. The study, published in Science Advances, could inform smarter traps and control strategies, including intermittent suction and lighting cues rather than constant signals.

via ScienceDaily|

#carbon-dioxide #flight-behavior #mosquitoes

science2 years ago•6 min saved

"The Sky's the Limit: Unraveling the Mystery of Insects' Attraction to Light at Night"

Researchers have discovered that insects circle artificial lights at night because they lose track of the sky due to the way their flight patterns are disrupted by the lights. The insects' behavior is a result of a known response called the dorsal light response, where they point their backs toward the lights, altering their flight paths. This behavior leaves them vulnerable and prone to exhaustion, making them easy targets for predators and disrupting nocturnal ecosystems. The study highlights the harmful effects of light pollution on insects and emphasizes the need to minimize artificial light at night to protect nocturnal wildlife and restore views of the night sky.

via Phys.org|

#artificial-light #flight-behavior #insects

science-and-environment2 years ago•5 min saved

"The Mystery Unraveled: The Science Behind Insects' Attraction to Lights"

Researchers have used high-speed tracking techniques to uncover the reason behind insects circling lights at night. They found that insects consistently point their backs toward nearby artificial lights, a behavior known as the dorsal light response, which alters their flight paths and causes them to circle but rarely collide. This response, which helps keep insects in the proper orientation to fly, may be due to their reliance on the brightness of the sky for orientation. The proliferation of artificial lights at night, particularly with the introduction of bright LEDs, has led to detrimental effects on nocturnal ecosystems, disrupting circadian rhythms and physiological processes in various organisms. Restricting outdoor lighting to targeted warm light, no brighter than necessary, can greatly improve the health of nocturnal ecosystems and help restore views of the night sky.

via St. George News|

#environmental-impact #flight-behavior #insects