Are bugs attracted to reflected light?

Question

I started wondering about this question when a little moth was fluttering around my computer screen, and I thought that I wouldn't bother catching it unless it got in my face. Then I wondered, would it be attracted to my glasses since they'd reflect the light from the computer screen? Just wondering.

Answer 1

Yes. They are generally attracted to the brightest source of light that contains the particular wavelength they are looking for. A reflected light is less bright than the light source, so the insect will preferentially go for the light source, not the reflection.

Answer 2

Yes, insects can be attracted to reflected light. Most people's headlights are all reflected light (The bulbs are aimed towards the car, and reflectors "shape" the beam and aim it where the manufacturer wants it to go) and insects are attracted to them.

Although it's not attraction like you'd think about it. It's not that they like light like we like chocolate. insects navigate by the light of the sun. The sun's light by the time it reaches us is pretty close to parallel, the light from a single source (like a lamp, or a flashlight, or a computer) isn't parallel. It's going every which way it can. This confuses the insect, and they tend to turn because they're used to dealing with light that doesn't "move around".

Answer 3

Yes, they are attracted to refected light. This is why they will fly to a light painted surfaces before dark painted surfaces. See:
http://experts.about.com/q/Pest-Control-1500/Insects-Birds-Porch.htm
Here is an interesting article about a bug light-trap which discusses the ways in which bugs are attracted to different kinds of light:
http://www.pctonline.com/articles/article.asp?Id=1431&SubCatID=26&CatID=3
As far as the actual attraction itself, this is a response called phototaxis. When insects fly at night they use light sources such as the moon for navigation. Light from a distant source reaches both eyes with the same intensity. This enables the insect to fly in a straight line with both wings beating at the same rate. If the light is from a closer source such as a candle or lantern, it changes the insect's perception. The light is perceived stronger in one eye than in the other eye. This causes the wing on one side to move faster. The insect then begins to approach the light in a spiral path, eventually drawing them into the light itself.
See:
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/science_for_kids/11252

Answer 4

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