Why flying insects gather at artificial light - Nature Communications
www.nature.com
It is unclear why flying insects congregate around artificial light sources. Here, the authors use high-speed videography and motion-capture, finding that insects fly perpendicular to light sources due to a disruption of the dorsal light response.
The original post: /r/todayilearned by /u/gvxvik on 2025-06-10 17:54:48.

Original Title: TIL insects aren’t actually attracted to light but try to keep it above their backs due to a built-in reflex called the Dorsal Light Response. This makes them turn their dorsum toward the light mistaking it for the sky which causes them to circle around artificial light sources