Light pollution effects on moth and ant diversity

Abstract:
In our modern world, the night is no longer truly dark. Streetlights, neon signs, and glowing skyscrapers have become an unavoidable part of urban landscapes. While artificial light helps us navigate and feel safe at night, it disrupts the natural behaviours of many nocturnal creatures, especially insects. Our recent study in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) shows the impacts of night sky brightness on local moth and ant diversity, revealing just how deeply light pollution affects even the smallest inhabitants of our cities. As insect populations decline globally due to multiple stressors, understanding and mitigating the impacts of light pollution becomes essential.