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From: arf@gagme.chi.il.us (jack schmidling)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: MOTH FLUTTER
Message-ID: <1248@gagme.chi.il.us>
Date: 15 Mar 91 01:25:55 GMT
Organization: GAGME Public Access UNIX, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Lines: 28


 
 Article 4097 (15 more) in sci.bio:
 From: kuento@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
 Subject: Re: moth flutter
 
 >Moths and many other insects are attracted to bright lights 
 because they try to keep the light *above* them as they fly 
 (this is normally where the moon will be in their fiel
 it is programmed to consider "up".
 
 > If you ever look closely at a moth circling, you'll notice 
 that the moth is tilted strongly sideways, perpendicular to 
 the long axis of the light source.
 
 ARF says:
 
 Perhaps the key lies in the above but I fail to see it.
 
 Try explaining it using flourescent tubes in various 
 attitudes and then with a point source.
 
 I have visions of a moth flying on its side, endlessly 
 circling but never having to get near the light to keep it 
 "up".
 
 arf