Presentation Details
| Effects of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on Insect Demography and Fitness Kayla J Martinez, Amanda Klingler, Robin Tinghitella. University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA |
Abstract
Anthropogenic pollutants like artificial light at night (ALAN) impact most of the US and have negative impacts on biodiversity. Nocturnal insects may be vulnerable. I tested how ALAN impacts cricket abundance, distribution, and fitness using lab and field studies that mimic lighting regimes in Hawaii. I expected crickets to avoid lit habitats if ALAN lowers survival, delays development, and reduces adult size. I established “phantom streetlights” by placing light treatments (70 lux and 100 lux yellow-shifted LED, 100 lux white LED, and a dark control) where Teleogryllus oceanicus occur and there is no ALAN. I measured how light impacted abundance and distribution over 24 hours of exposure. In the lab, I applied the same treatments inside incubators, randomly assigned animals to treatments at hatching, and reared them to adults. At adulthood, I measured survival, development time, size, and mating success. Preliminary results suggest ALAN affects cricket abundance and distribution; contrary to expectation, animals tended to stay under ALAN treatments, but leave control sites, possibly reflecting typical nocturnal mate searching and feeding behaviors. The lab experiment is ongoing.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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