Artificial light at night causes diapause inhibition and sex‐specific life history changes in a moth

Abstract

Rapidly increasing levels of light pollution subject nocturnal organisms to major alterations of their habitat, the ecological consequences of which are largely unknown. Moths are well-known to be attracted to light at night, but effects of light on other aspects of moth ecology, such as larval development and life-history, remain unknown. Such effects may have important consequences for fitness and thus for moth population sizes. To study the effects of artificial night lighting on development and life-history of moths, we experimentally subjected Mamestra brassicae (Noctuidae) caterpillars to low intensity green, white, red or no artificial light at night and determined their growth rate, maximum caterpillar mass, age at pupation, pupal mass and pupation duration. We found sex-specific effects of artificial light on caterpillar life-history, with male caterpillars subjected to green and white light reaching a lower maximum mass, pupating earlier and obtaining a lower pupal mass than male caterpillars under red light or in darkness. These effects can have major implications for fitness, but were absent in female caterpillars. Moreover, by the time that the first adult moth from the dark control treatment emerged from its pupa (after 110 days), about 85% of the moths that were under green light and 83% of the moths that were under white light had already emerged. These differences in pupation duration occurred in both sexes and were highly significant, and likely result from diapause inhibition by artificial night lighting. We conclude that low levels of nocturnal illumination can disrupt life-histories in moths and inhibit the initiation of pupal diapause. This may result in reduced fitness and increased mortality. The application of red light, instead of white or green light, might be an appropriate measure to mitigate negative artificial light effects on moth life history.

Tuning the white light spectrum of light emitting diode lamps to reduce attraction of nocturnal arthropods

“…The implications of night-time lighting for attraction of disease vectors [6], when combined with the expanding research on the effects of light on circadian rhythms and ecosystem functions [38,[56][57][58], may persuade lighting engineers to follow a new standard that extends beyond display, price and durability, to include improved environmental and human health outcomes as well. Spectral characteristics that minimize insect attraction probably also reduce impacts on circadian rhythms, with its peak response to blue light [2].…”

The biological impacts of artificial light at night: the research challenge

“…[20][21][22][23]). Numerous studies have also been published that demonstrate such impacts (for recent examples, see [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]). However, understanding the genuine severity of the problem is both challenging and timely: with the large scale and rapid introduction of LED lights and the use of 'smart illumination 0 [16], we now have the opportunity to adjust ALAN to reduce any negative environmental impacts provided that there is a good understanding of the effects of both intensity and spectral composition of ALAN.…”

Adult Tea Green Leafhoppers, Empoasca onukii (Matsuda), Change Behaviors under Varying Light Conditions

“…Apart from the widely known diapause phenomenon [4, 5], photoperiod influences various behaviors such as egg hatching, flight, locomotion, feeding, courtship, and mating [6, 7]. For instance, walking, foraging, and oviposition of Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande are increased with increasing time of illumination but reduced in continuous darkness [8].…”