Moth Wings Are Beautiful in Infrared Light

According to a recent study, the drab gray and brown coats of moths are more a failure of human vision than of them.

By using a camera that captures an extra wide spectrum of light, researchers were able to view the insects in the wavelength of light that is too long for humans to see. The researchers reported in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface that the buff and beige wings we are used to seeing flutter around outside take on bright colors.

The new data showed how the insects' wings reflect and scatter light. The diversity of these features could eventually help scientists identify the species using lidar.

Scientists are using radar to count insects. The different nocturnal migrations of the creatures serve as major food sources for birds and other animals.

The potential limitations of lidar for monitoring are noted by a radar entomologist. Drake says that lidar has a narrow beam. The radar beams that are used to detect insects can be up to 100 feet across, while the lidar beams are only a few inches in diameter. We don't know if the lidar beam will produce enough insect crossing to be useful.

The leader of the study and her team are evaluating how well lidar captures the different moths around their study site. She says that they have been monitoring since April. It will show up in all three if there is a big migration.