- NEW!
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on October 15th, 2009
The natural bright lights in nature are the sun, moon and stars. These are very far away, so insects fly in a straight line by keeping a bright light at a constant angle. Unfortunately, man has introduced nearby bright lights. If an insect keeps a nearby light at a constant angle, it either flies rapidly into the darkness (if the angle is at greater than 90 degrees) or spirals into the light (if the angle is less than 90 degrees). The insects don't want to hang around the light at all - what they are trying to do is cross-country navigation. Man has unwittingly created a death-trap for simple minded beasts by subverting their navigation beacons.
How does the fly get in my house?
by XT on July 7th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
If you see the insect fly, what would you do?
by XT on July 7th, 2010
| 2 people like this
Have you ever seen maggots before? Did one ever touch your skin?
by solsticexcorona on June 29th, 2011
| 2 people like this
A fruit fly landed on my apricot mango yogurt, and I didn't realize it was there until after I put a spoonful in mouth. Perhaps I'll die?
by Quiet_Listener on July 20th, 2011
| 3 people like this
From what distance can a fly smell food?
by cehowski on July 9th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Why is it instinctive for an insect to hang around outside lights at night, if outside lights are man made? What did insects do before the invention of lightbulbs?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
hell yeah, i like that answer
by Buehller on October 15th, 2009
By the same token, I'll bet you could cause [male] Humans to burn an awful lot of fuel by placing an extremely large picture of nice breasts on the horizon. That would subvert our natural tendency to home in those "beacons".
by yeroco on October 15th, 2009