Why are moths attracted to light?
For grown-ups: the science
Many moths use faraway sky lights to guide their flight, but a nearby lamp can confuse them and make them circle it.
Many nocturnal insects use celestial cues for orientation, though the exact mechanisms vary by species. Artificial lights can disrupt this navigation because nearby light sources change their angle dramatically as an insect moves; other factors, including wavelength and species behavior, also matter.
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Transcript
A porch lamp glows in the dark, and a moth flutters close by. Why does it keep flying toward the light?
At night, many moths use the moon and stars as steady lights to help them fly. Those faraway lights can help them keep a straight path.
A porch light is much closer, so its light seems to move as the moth flies. The moth may keep turning to use it, then fly in circles.
Not every moth comes to a lamp, and scientists are still learning all the reasons. But bright nearby lights can confuse many nighttime moths.
So moths do not always want the lamp itself. A nearby light can mix up the way they find their way at night.