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Scientists have that street lights and other forms of artificial lighting could behind a decline in insect populations. Researchers from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology studies on the number of insects near sources of white light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The researchers LEDs are responsible for insect behaviour and for a drop in their numbers. Lead researcher Douglas Boyes said the results of his study "eye-opening". He surprised at the extent of the insect loss due to LEDs. He a 47 per cent reduction in insect populations at hedgerow test sites and a 37 per cent reduction at roadside grassy areas.

Mr Boyes and his team up LEDs at 26 roadside sites in the countryside that either hedges or grass verges. The researchers the numbers of moth caterpillars found at these sites and these with insects at unlit sites. Boyes on the difference. He said: "We were really quite taken aback by just how stark it was." He that LEDs led to two drastic changes in behaviour. He said the most alarming discovery was that the lights female insects laying eggs in the lit areas. Another disruption was that the lighting the feeding behaviour of the insects. The caterpillars in the unlit areas were heavier than those in the areas by LEDs.