Wildlife

Moth Decline: Light Pollution and the Welfare of Nocturnal Insects

Moths have declined by 40 percent since 1968 with light pollution, habitat loss, and climate change as key drivers.

Key Facts

UK moth populations declined by 40 percent between 1968 and 2007
Some species have declined by over 90 percent in southern England
Moths are vital food for bats, nocturnal birds, and many invertebrate predators
Light pollution disrupts moth navigation causing disorientation and wasted energy
Many moths are specialist plant feeders with larvae dependent on specific native plants

Welfare Considerations

Moths face welfare threats from light pollution that disorients and exhausts adults circling artificial lights. Pesticide exposure causes mortality and reproductive impairment. Loss of native plants eliminates caterpillar food and specialist species cannot adapt to alternative hosts. Climate change disrupts the synchrony between moth emergence and host plant availability. Disoriented moths at lights are easy prey for predators.

What You Can Do

Switch external lighting to amber LEDs on motion sensors to reduce moth impacts
Plant native trees and wildflowers that support specialist moth larvae
Participate in National Moth Recording Scheme garden moth trapping programmes
Support Butterfly Conservation moths projects and habitat restoration
Campaign for reduced light pollution in rural areas through dark sky designations