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The jury is still out on the tragically one-sided relationship between moths and front-porch light bulbs, but several interesting explanations abound. One theory suggests that moths are attracted to light because of their migratory nature. Moths regularly travel long distances guided by starlight and the moon. Hence, a light bulb may act as a proxy moon. USA Today seconds this argument, claiming that moths aren't attracted to light so much as confused by a navigational accident. To fly north, a moth keeps the rising moon of its right shoulder. Trying to keep a porch light continually off your right shoulder results in
pandemonium. Other sources disagree with the moon hypothesis and note that moths actually veer away from the light source at the last minute. To the moth, the area just outside of the light appears darker. Moths, being nocturnal, head towards the dark patch, which is always just around the light, hence the confusion. Finally, the BBC, in a very genial British way, notes that the issue remains unresolved and presents both hypotheses. We're with the BBC.
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