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Abstract <p>Artificial light at night (ALAN) has been shown to negatively impact many species, particularly nocturnal ones, yet the underlying mechanisms driving these effects remain poorly understood. Various conservation measures have been proposed, including part-night lighting regimes and the dimming of artificial lights, but their effectiveness depends on how artificial light affects behaviour at a mechanistic level. In this study, we investigated how such temporary exposure to artificial illumination affects mate-finding success in the European common glow-worm, <i>Lampyris noctiluca</i> (Linnaeus, 1758), a nocturnal bioluminescent beetle. We examined the effects of different light intensities and exposure times on male mate-searching behaviour, in a controlled indoor arena setup, where males could move freely toward a dummy female. Temporary exposure to strong white light (100&#xa0;lx and 4315&#xa0;lx) at the onset of the activity period was associated with a reduced mate-finding success and a delay in the onset of mate searching, while the 10&#xa0;lx treatment had no detectable effect. We suggest that this latency may reflect the time required for dark adaptation of the eyes following light exposure. In addition, under very bright light (4315&#xa0;lx), males appeared to experience a reduction of activity at the beginning of the trial, possibly as a lingering inhibitory effect of the light exposure. As a result, their overall mate-searching period was reduced: males were less active at the beginning of their activity window and ceased searching at the same time as control individuals that had not been exposed to artificial light. These findings indicate potential limitations of part-night lighting regimes might not be fully effective as mitigation strategies when behavioural responses such as dark adaptation are involved. Nevertheless, they are preferable to no light reduction at all. Our findings also underscore the importance of considering both light intensity and timing when developing conservation strategies. Still, we should remain cautious when extrapolating laboratory results to ecological interventions intended as conservation measures.</p> Implications for insect conservation <p>Our findings indicate that even temporary exposure to artificial light can disrupt mate-finding behaviour in glow-worms. Effective mitigation strategies must consider both the intensity and timing of artificial light to reduce its ecological impact.</p>

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Temporary exposure to bright artificial light delays mate-searching and lowers mate-finding success in male glow-worms

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月4日

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  • Mira Van den Broeck,
  • Koen Van Daele,
  • Raphaël De Cock,
  • Erik Matthysen

摘要

Abstract

Artificial light at night (ALAN) has been shown to negatively impact many species, particularly nocturnal ones, yet the underlying mechanisms driving these effects remain poorly understood. Various conservation measures have been proposed, including part-night lighting regimes and the dimming of artificial lights, but their effectiveness depends on how artificial light affects behaviour at a mechanistic level. In this study, we investigated how such temporary exposure to artificial illumination affects mate-finding success in the European common glow-worm, Lampyris noctiluca (Linnaeus, 1758), a nocturnal bioluminescent beetle. We examined the effects of different light intensities and exposure times on male mate-searching behaviour, in a controlled indoor arena setup, where males could move freely toward a dummy female. Temporary exposure to strong white light (100 lx and 4315 lx) at the onset of the activity period was associated with a reduced mate-finding success and a delay in the onset of mate searching, while the 10 lx treatment had no detectable effect. We suggest that this latency may reflect the time required for dark adaptation of the eyes following light exposure. In addition, under very bright light (4315 lx), males appeared to experience a reduction of activity at the beginning of the trial, possibly as a lingering inhibitory effect of the light exposure. As a result, their overall mate-searching period was reduced: males were less active at the beginning of their activity window and ceased searching at the same time as control individuals that had not been exposed to artificial light. These findings indicate potential limitations of part-night lighting regimes might not be fully effective as mitigation strategies when behavioural responses such as dark adaptation are involved. Nevertheless, they are preferable to no light reduction at all. Our findings also underscore the importance of considering both light intensity and timing when developing conservation strategies. Still, we should remain cautious when extrapolating laboratory results to ecological interventions intended as conservation measures.

Implications for insect conservation

Our findings indicate that even temporary exposure to artificial light can disrupt mate-finding behaviour in glow-worms. Effective mitigation strategies must consider both the intensity and timing of artificial light to reduce its ecological impact.