Why Do Winged Insects Get Attracted to Light?

In the monsoon season, we see many insects like mosquitoes hovering around tube lights or bright light sources at night. Do you know why?

Insects like mosquitoes and moths are actually accustomed to moisture and darkness; they aren't necessarily "attracted" to the light itself. Instead, they have an amazing sense of navigation. They use the light of the sun or moon as a fixed point to find their way.

During cloudy monsoon nights when the sun or moon isn't visible, they mistake tube lights for natural celestial light. They try to navigate using the light, which causes them to fly in circles around it. If there are multiple lights, they get even more confused. Some scientists also believe:

1. Insects mistake bright lights for the vibrant colors of flowers where they find food.

2. Once they get too close to the light, their eyes cannot adjust to the extreme brightness, making them nearly blind and causing them to spiral uncontrollably.