The flame says to the moth, do not come close to me! You will also burn like me!
That is deep! Of course that is only an angrezi translation of the lines from the famous song, “Pyar dewaana hota hain!”
We have seen how Moths rush to the flame? When they see the light they just don’t see anything else and literally set themselves on fire!
Now there are so many explanations about this odd behaviour which is a great fodder for scientists and poets albeit for different reasons! The poet would like to see the love while the scientist would like to know why! While of course for the moth or the insect, he or she does not care!
Now it is sure that moths are not inherently drawn to flames in the sense of a conscious desire to get burned. It is an amalgamation of light, navigation, and potentially mistaken cues!
When you know there are many theories to explain the why, then it is sure that no one is cent percent sure! Since the moth may not be of much help!
One theory explains the use of dorsal light. Many insects, including moths, use a “dorsal light response” to navigate. They orient their bodies so their backs are facing the source of light, which they perceive as being overhead (like the sun or moon). Artificial lights can disrupt this natural orientation, causing moths to spiral towards the light instead of flying away from it! So it can be just a stubborn Moth or Man who does not want to ask for directions!
An extension of this is the lunar or stellar guidance since moths have evolved to use the moon or stars as navigational cues. Artificial light sources can mimic these natural light sources, leading moths to mistake them for their usual navigational landmarks! So the rest stop which the moth thought as a place for taking a break, fried it away!
Other theories involve both UV and Infra red radiation!
UV light plays a role in the behavior of moths, including pollination and mating. Some moths may be attracted to UV light because they perceive it as a signal related to these behaviors. Also flames emit infrared radiation, which is a form of heat. Some moths may be attracted to the heat, or they may mistake the infrared radiation for the infrared reflections from moth pheromones! The flame is mistaken as a ‘hot’ friend perhaps!
It has also been suggested that they are simply avoiding predators and for this the moths may try to fly upwards towards light sources, mistaking them for the rising sun, in order to find a place to hide from predators during the day.
Some studies suggest that moths may be attracted to the scent of certain plants and flowers, and that some artificial light sources, such as lamps, may emit a similar scent, further contributing to their attraction to light!
In the novel called the Selfish Gene (or was it the Blind watchmaker!? I frankly do not remember but that is not the point!); Richard Dawkins states that it is because the Moths can’t differentiate between light! They think it’s the moon which is just in their vision and is at infinity! It’s like their brain is programmed in that way! They are just flying towards that far away light completely unaware that it’s close and it will burn them! Of course majority still fly towards the moon and live another day! The flame rushers are actually rare!
Rare also is to be a legend and still go on for the last 70 years! That’s Clint Eastwood! From the western to dirty Harry and to the oscars! A legend forever! An ode sketch to the best cowboy out there!
GOOD night
BAD is to sleep late
UGLY is only a point of view!
Shubh ratri!
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