Spectral composition of light sources and insect phototaxis, with an evaluation of existing spectral response models

Artificial illumination attracts insects, but to what extent light attracts insects, depends on the spectral composition of the light. Response models have been developed to predict the attractiveness of artificial light sources. In this study we compared attraction of insects by existing light sour...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of insect conservation 2014-04, Vol.18 (2), p.225-231
Main Authors: van Grunsven, Roy H. A, Donners, M, Boekee, K, Tichelaar, I, van Geffen, K. G, Groenendijk, D, Berendse, F, Veenendaal, E. M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biodiversity
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Conservation Biology/Ecology
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Entomology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insects
Life Sciences
Light sources
lighting
Mercury
Original Paper
Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking
phototaxis
Spectral composition
Spectrum analysis
vapors
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Summary:Artificial illumination attracts insects, but to what extent light attracts insects, depends on the spectral composition of the light. Response models have been developed to predict the attractiveness of artificial light sources. In this study we compared attraction of insects by existing light sources used for streetlights as well as newly developed environment friendly alternatives, and used this data to test the predictive ability of the existing response models. Light sources differed in overall attractiveness to insects and relative attractiveness was dependent on insect order. The attraction patterns predicted by the two models correlated weakly with the number of insects attracted when the only light source rich in UV, a mercury vapour light, was included in the tested spectra. When the mercury vapour light, which is going to be banned in Europe, was not included in the test no correlation was found between predicted and observed attraction patterns. We conclude that currently existing attraction response models are insufficiently sensitive to evaluate new light sources.
ISSN:1366-638X
1572-9753
DOI:10.1007/s10841-014-9633-9