Everyone knows that light [attacks / attracts] insects. In prehistoric times, our ancestors questioned why [winged / winging] insects buzzed around fire. An old saying describes this attraction as [been / being] , "like a moth to a flame". However, a recent study [dispels / spells] the long-believed notion that insects [head / back] towards light because they like it. Biologists at Imperial College London have reported that insects are [drawing / drawn] to light because it helps with their orientation when [on / in] flight. The scientists said artificial light actually disorients nocturnal bugs [similar / like] moths and mosquitos, often to fatal [mends / ends] . Jamie Theobald, co-author of the study, said all our speculations about [thus / why] insects fly toward light "might have been wrong".
The scientists conducted their research [in / on] a rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed artificial lights [lower / under] the canopy and observed the creatures' flying behaviour. Insects usually navigate [by / to] the moon to fly in straight lines. However, around [the / them] artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and [erotic / erratic] patterns of flight. An entomologist said: "[Natural / Naturally] sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering [around / abound] the light and trap an insect." This explains [why / what] so many insects fly to their death into bug zappers. Artificial light adversely [effects / affects] an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend [itself / himself] against predators.
