The surprising reason why insects circle lights at night: They lose track of the sky

A new study shows how artificial light at night scrambles insects’ normal flight patterns, pulling them off course into orbit around the light.

Yash Sondhi, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Entomology, Mcguire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 • ~9 min

Artificial light lures migrating birds into cities, where they face a gauntlet of threats

Migrating birds need stopover locations en route where they can rest and feed. A new study shows that artificial light draws them away from sites they would normally use and into risky zones.

Kyle Horton, Assistant Professor of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University • conversation
Dec. 14, 2023 • ~7 min

Light pollution is taking the sparkle out of glow-worm mating

Artificial light is making it harder for male glow-worms to find bioluminescent females.

Jeremy Niven, Professor of Zoology (Evolution, Behaviour and Environment), University of Sussex • conversation
June 13, 2023 • ~6 min

Scientists are using machine learning to forecast bird migration and identify birds in flight by their calls

Machine learning may not seem to have much connection with wildlife, but it’s starting to play a central role in bird conservation.

Miguel Jimenez, Ph.D. student in Ecology, Colorado State University • conversation
March 23, 2023 • ~9 min

Urban light pollution is a danger for marine ecosystems – new research

Artificial lighting from cities illuminates coastal waters and can change the physiology and behaviour of marine organisms.

Tim Smyth, Head of Science: Marine Biogeochemistry and Observations, Plymouth Marine Laboratory • conversation
Jan. 5, 2023 • ~7 min

Light pollution is disrupting the seasonal rhythms of plants and trees, lengthening pollen season in US cities

Artificial light is upending trees’ ability to use the natural day-night cycle as a signal of seasonal change.

Yuyu Zhou, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Iowa State University • conversation
July 12, 2022 • ~5 min

The Moon and stars are a compass for nocturnal animals – but light pollution is leading them astray

Towns and cities create an orange glow on the horizon at night. It's so widespread that it even disturbs sea creatures.

Stuart Jenkins, Professor of Marine Ecology, Bangor University • conversation
Aug. 11, 2020 • ~6 min

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