Artificial light is dangerous for insects, say scientists

Mrs. N (United States of America)
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. adversely
    in an opposing or negative manner
    Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself against predators.
  2. nocturnal
    belonging to or active during the night
    The scientists said artificial light actually disorients nocturnal bugs like moths and mosquitos, often to fatal ends.
  3. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
    However, around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and erratic patterns of flight.
  4. predator
    any animal that lives by preying on other animals
    Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself against predators.
  5. forage
    collect or look around for, as food
    Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself against predators.
  6. canopy
    a covering (usually of cloth) that shelters an area
    They installed artificial lights under the canopy and observed the creatures' flying behaviour.
  7. dispel
    force to go away
    However, a recent study dispels the long-believed notion that insects head towards light because they like it.
  8. arc
    a continuous portion of a circle
    However, around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and erratic patterns of flight.
  9. install
    set up for use
    They installed artificial lights under the canopy and observed the creatures' flying behaviour.
  10. attraction
    the force that one object exerts on another
    An old saying describes this attraction as being, "like a moth to a flame".
  11. steer
    be a guiding or motivating force or drive
    An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect."
  12. ancestor
    someone from whom you are descended
    In prehistoric times, our ancestors questioned why winged insects buzzed around fire.
  13. notion
    a general inclusive concept
    However, a recent study dispels the long-believed notion that insects head towards light because they like it.
  14. source
    the place where something begins
    An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect."
  15. affect
    have an influence upon
    Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself against predators.
  16. maintain
    keep in a certain state, position, or activity
    An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect."
  17. attract
    exert a force on
    Everyone knows that light attracts insects.
  18. recent
    of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
    However, a recent study dispels the long-believed notion that insects head towards light because they like it.
  19. conduct
    direct the course of; manage or control
    The scientists conducted their research in a rainforest in Costa Rica.
  20. proper
    marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
    An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect."
  21. defend
    protect against a challenge or attack
    Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself against predators.
Created on Mon Feb 12 09:12:27 EST 2024 (updated Mon Feb 12 11:28:24 EST 2024)

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