If moths are attracted to light, why don't they fly toward the sun?

Answer 1

Phototropic moths are attracted to light with a shorter wavelength, it's thought this is because they are seeking night blooming flowers that reflect ultraviolet light, as this is a food source. Sunlight contains more than just these short waves.

Answer 2

Moths typically fly at night, but ignoring that. They use the moon as a navigation aid. They get confused by lights at night and try to navigate using the light. Because the light is very close to the moth compared to the moon, when they try to fly using the light as a guide to fly straight they end up flying in a spiral instead that moves them closer and close to the light.

You can see how this might happen if you were to pick an object very far away, like a mile or more. Hold out your right arm straight out to your side and turn your body until your arm points at the distant object. Remember not to move your arm. You need to keep it pointed correctly by rotating your whole body. If you now start walking while keeping your arm pointed at that object you will walk in a fairly straight line. That is like a moth using the moon to navigate.

Now try the same thing only choose an object that is about 10 feet away. Now as you walk you need to walk in a circle aound the object to keep your arm pointed at the close object. That is like the moth trying to use a light to navigate.

That is what happens to moths around lights.

Answer 3

At my house,they're not attracted to light.They're attracted to me.They fly around my head and try to get in my face and stuff.Is that because I'M so bright?They are out during the day,too.They fly through the bird cage and make the bird scream.Sometimes they drown themselves in his water dish.Kamakaze moths,they are.Did I spell that right?They fly back and forth in front of the tv and won't let me watch it at night.They tend to be in the hallway where I don't usually have the light on,and I run into them.So I guess my answer to your question is that they don't go toward the sun,they just come to my house instead.And they NEVER die,except when they drown in Sammy's water.Poor Sammy.There have been a ton of them around lately.I wonder if I have any sweaters left?I just love you,HBOO!

Answer 4

Because they only come out at night. If you see them in the day time they are called butterflies. Not all moths are attracted to the light anyway. Just there friends go to the light and they want to hang out with them.

Answer 5

Moths only come out at night. They are attracted to any bright light source because of the warmth. They are also safer in the light because they are eaten by owls, bats and other nocturnal animals.

Answer 6

Space moths do fly towards the sun.
Think about it.

Answer 7

Two reasons. Gravity and sack lunches. Gravity works to hold them close to the earth and they will need a lot of sack lunches to take with them if they are going to make a long journey to the sun.

Answer 8

They are nocturnal and navigate by the moon.Artificial light confuses them and that is why they are attracted to light and fly erratically around it.

Answer 9

Boy you are a ray of sunshine....Precious.

I had a moth fly by my floppy drive when I went to brush it away it went inside....does anyone know how to debug a floppy drive?

Answer 10

first, moths may not locate the source of sunlight; second, sunlight and artificial light are different in nature