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Long-Term Comparison of Attraction of Flying Insects to Streetlights after the Transition from Traditional Light Sources to Light-Emitting Diodes in Urban and Peri-Urban Settings

Author

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  • Roy H. A. van Grunsven

    (Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
    Dutch Butterfly Conservation, 6702 Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Julia Becker

    (Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
    Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

  • Stephanie Peter

    (Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
    Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

  • Stefan Heller

    (Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany)

  • Franz Hölker

    (Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
    Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Among the different light sources used for street lighting, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are likely to dominate the world market in the coming years. At the same time, the spectral composition of nocturnal illumination is changing. Europe and many other areas worldwide have implemented bans on energy-inefficient lamps, such as the still very common mercury vapor lamps. However, the impact of artificial light on insects is mostly tested with light-traps or flight-intercept traps that are used for short periods only. By comparing the numbers of insects attracted by street lamps before and after replacing mercury vapor light sources (MV) with light emitting diodes, we assessed the impact in more typical (urban and peri-urban) settings over several years. We found that LED attracted approximately half of the number of insects compared to MV lights. Furthermore, most insect groups are less drawn by LED than by MV, while Hymenoptera are less attracted by MV than by LED. Thus, the composition of the attracted communities differed between the light sources, which may impact ecosystem processes and functions. In green peri-urban settings more insects are attracted than in an urban setting, but the relative difference between the light sources is the same.

Suggested Citation

  • Roy H. A. van Grunsven & Julia Becker & Stephanie Peter & Stefan Heller & Franz Hölker, 2019. "Long-Term Comparison of Attraction of Flying Insects to Streetlights after the Transition from Traditional Light Sources to Light-Emitting Diodes in Urban and Peri-Urban Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-9, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:22:p:6198-:d:284076
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eva Knop & Leana Zoller & Remo Ryser & Christopher Gerpe & Maurin Hörler & Colin Fontaine, 2017. "Artificial light at night as a new threat to pollination," Nature, Nature, vol. 548(7666), pages 206-209, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhiyuan Xiang & Meifang Zhao & U. S. Ogbodo, 2020. "Accumulation of Urban Insect Pests in China: 50 Years’ Observations on Camphor Tree ( Cinnamomum camphora )," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.

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