News Animals

Nighttime light pollution sabotages sex pheromones of moths

LEDs push females to release weak, odd-smelling come-ons

cabbage moths

MOTH MATES  Too much artificial light at night can undermine the chemical attraction between cabbage moths like these.

Lou van der Linde

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Harsh lighting doesn’t ruin the chemistry of romantic trysts just for humans. Artificial lighting can miscue female moths into sending out skimpy, and possibly stinky, scents instead of their usual potent come-hithers.