Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

status       student
age          12

Question -   What color light attracts the most bugs and why?
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A study done in North Carolina produced this result:
"The results showed that most of the orders were attracted to the blue and the 
ultraviolet wavelengths. The insects are attracted to these specific light 
wavelengths because they are shorter with a higher frequency while red wave 
lengths are longer and have a lower frequency which is harder for the insects 
to detect. Insects have three special eyes, called ocelli, on the top of their 
heads, with the specific job of identifying light and not movement (Burnie). The 
shorter the wavelengths, the easier it is for the ocelli to detect them (Burnie). "
Differential Responses of Insects to Different Wave Lengths of Light
July 19, 2003
Kate Luettich
Field Biology and Ecology
Dr. Michael Baranski, Instructor
Ms. Kristy Rodrigue, Assistant
The report is at http://www.cmste.uncc.edu/Kate%20Luettich.doc

J. Elliott
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