Page 37 - Adventures through the World of Entomology
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some insects are attracted to light and other insects are repelled by light. some insects are attracted to light and other insects are repelled by light.
FOR EXAMPLE — German cockroaches hide in cracks and crevices in a restaurant during the daytime FOR EXAMPLE — German cockroaches hide in cracks and crevices in a restaurant during the daytime
where it is dark and safe. After the dishwasher has washed and put away the last dish at night and has where it is dark and safe. After the dishwasher has washed and put away the last dish at night and has
turned out the lights and left for home, the German cockroaches come out of their cracks and crevices turned out the lights and left for home, the German cockroaches come out of their cracks and crevices
into the dark room and wander around looking for a feast. If you see German cockroaches roaming into the dark room and wander around looking for a feast. If you see German cockroaches roaming
around during the daytime the chances are that the infestation is so heavy there aren’t enough cracks around during the daytime the chances are that the infestation is so heavy there aren’t enough cracks
for all of them to get into. No self-respecting German roach would allow itself to be caught wandering for all of them to get into. No self-respecting German roach would allow itself to be caught wandering
around in the light. However, there is another cockroach, the Asian cockroach which looks identical around in the light. However, there is another cockroach, the Asian cockroach which looks identical
to the German cockroach, but this cockroach is attracted to light. This difference in behavioral to the German cockroach, but this cockroach is attracted to light. This difference in behavioral
characteristics is one easy way to differentiate between these two species of cockroach. characteristics is one easy way to differentiate between these two species of cockroach.
The Asian cockroach looks identical The Asian cockroach looks identical
to the German cockroach, but it’s to the German cockroach, but it’s
attracted to light. attracted to light.
. . . the difference in behavioral . . . the difference in behavioral
characteristics is one easy way to characteristics is one easy way to
differentiate between these two differentiate between these two
species of cockroaches. species of cockroaches.
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
FOR EXAMPLE — Flies are attracted to light, that’s why you see them buzzing up and down the FOR EXAMPLE — Flies are attracted to light, that’s why you see them buzzing up and down the
windows in a restaurant. The light attracts them there and they are trying to escape. That is why light windows in a restaurant. The light attracts them there and they are trying to escape. That is why light
traps in restaurants are so effective in eliminating the flies that were first attracted by food odors and traps in restaurants are so effective in eliminating the flies that were first attracted by food odors and
managed to get into the restaurant. managed to get into the restaurant.
BLUE BOTTLE FLY — WITH COMPOUND EYES — IS ATTRACTED TO LIGHT BLUE BOTTLE FLY — WITH COMPOUND EYES — IS ATTRACTED TO LIGHT
Photo Courtesy of uNIvAR Photo Courtesy of uNIvAR
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