Light Pollution as a Driver of Insect Declines by Avalon Owens
Insect populations around the world appear to be declining rapidly. But why? While habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change all have something to do with it, I assert in this talk that light pollution is another often overlooked bringer of the insect apocalypse. Light pollution interferes with the development, dispersal, foraging, and reproduction of diverse insect taxa, including nocturnal pollinators and charismatic flagship species such as fireflies. Unlike other anthropogenic threats, light pollution can be cheaply, easily, and instantly eliminated — yet recent innovations in lighting technology have only made the problem worse. I conclude by highlighting a few simple things we can all do to help protect the night sky, fireflies, and the foundations of ecosystems worldwide.
Cover image Credit Billy Hickey. See more of his work here: https://billyhickeyphoto.com/
Dr. Avalon C.S. Owens
received her Ph.D. in Biology from Tufts University in spring 2022, where she studied the impact of artificial light on bioluminescent fireflies. She also holds a B.A. in Integrative Biology from Harvard University and an M.S. in Entomology from National Taiwan University.