CURRENT ENGLISH

Artificial light is dangerous for insects, say scientists
5th February 2024

HarderEveryone knows that light
attracts
insects.
In
prehistoric times, ourancestors
questioned
why winged insects buzzed around fire. An
old saying describes this attraction as being,"like a moth to a flame". However, a recent
study dispels the long-believed notion thatinsects head towards light because they likeit. Biologists at Imperial College London havereported that insects are drawn to lightbecause it helps with their orientation whenin flight. The scientists said artificial light
actually disorients nocturnal bugs like moths
and mosquitos, often to fatal ends. Jamie
Theobald, co-author of the study, said all ourspeculations about why insects fly toward
light "might have been wrong".

The scientists conducted their research in a
rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed
artificial lights under the canopy andobserved the creatures' flying behavior.
Insects usually navigate by the moon to fly instraight lines. However, around the artificial
lights, the bugs became confused and madearcs and erratic patterns of flight. An
entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps
maintain proper flight…. Artificial sources…
can produce continuous steering around thelight and trap an insect." This explains why somany insects fly to their death into bug
zappers. Artificial light adversely affects an
insect's ability to find a mate, forage forfood, and defend itself against predators.
Sources: imperial.ac.uk / gizmodo.com
nature.com/ breakingnewsenglish.com/DISCUSS“We should turn off lights at night to help
nocturnal insects survive.” Do you agree ordisagree? Why (not)?

1CURRENT ENGLISHDISCUSS MORE

True / False

1) What are the good and bad things about
artificial light?

1. In prehistoric times, our ancestors
buzzed around fires. T / F
2. There is a saying in English that goes,“Like a flame to a moth”. T / F
3. Scientists say insects do not fly to lightbecause they like the light. T / F
4. Scientists say artificial light can bedeadly for nocturnal insects. T / F
5. Scientists put artificial lights in a tent ina Costa Rica rainforest. T / F6. Nocturnal insects use the sun tonavigate while flying. T / F
7. The light from bug zappers entices
bugs to their death. T / F
8. Artificial light makes it difficult for
insects to protect themselves frompredators. T / F

2) Do you prefer artificial or natural light?
3) How bad is light pollution?
4) When was the last time you wereconfused?
5) What do you think of bug zappers?
6) What do you think of moths?
7) How does artificial light adversely affectnocturnal insects?
8) What can we do to help nocturnalinsects?
9) What nocturnal creatures do you like?
10) What questions would you like to ask theresearchers?

Synonym Match
Speaking – Nocturnal(The words in bold are from the newsarticle.)

Which is the best thing about being a nightowl? Rank these items from 1 (top) to 8(bottom).

1. ancestors

a. carried out

2. dispels

b. unpredictable

3. notionc. theorizing

4. fatald. hunt

5. speculations

e. belief___ Empty streets

6. conducted

f. negatively___ Off-peak electricity

7. artificial

g. predecessors___ No sunburn

8. erratic

h. synthetic___ Avoid rush hours

9. adverselyi.

dismisses___ Seeing the stars

10. foragej.

deadly___ Avoid people___ Life is quieter___ Get more work done2