Low-pressure Sodium Lighting and Insects

These disclaimers apply to all information on this server.

Christian B. Luginbuhl
U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station
PO Box 1149
Flagstaff AZ 86002
cluginbuhl@nofs.navy.mil

Version 1.0
28 April 2004

Low-pressure sodium lights are sometimes disparagingly called "bug" lights. In fact, they are; few if any insects are attracted to the wavelengths emitted by LPS lamps. This leads to both less disturbance to insect populations and to generally cleaner luminaires, as insects seem inevitably to find their way inside light fixtures emitting bluer light. The following list includes references related to the issues of LPS lighting and insects.

IDA information sheet 109: Impact of Outdoor Lighting on Moths

C. Luginbuhl's Home Page