by Sona Christine
Instead of waiting for creatures to pass by your window, you can go outdoors and call them with a light. There is a special blue bulb you can buy at the hardware store that will make you positively irresistible to our nighttime visitors. The blue bulb can be found right next to the yellow "bug bulbs" on the store shelf.
The equipment you need for a creature hunt is an extension cord, one of these blue bulb, and an old sheet. Turn on the light bulb and then watch the fun begin!
The light acts as a siren call, bringing insects out of their hiding places. Moths circle for hours but beetles and other insects drop to the ground underneath the light. Have you ever wondered why some insects fall under the spell of the light? Like a magnet, the pull of the light is an actual physical force. Scientists call this phototropism, a word which means "turning toward the light." Some researchers believe that the light reacts to substances in the insect's body.
Some of the insects you may see are Rainbow Pebble Moths. These "micro-moths" are gray, silver, and tan. The little moth whose folded wings make it look like a broomstick is the Crambid or "Close Wings." Watch for the frail "Lace Wing." This is an insect with transparent wings that give off rainbow tints. You can spot them by their long antennae and bulging gold eyes. We called them "fairy flies" when we were kids.
It is possible you may see a Katydid. It is a member of the grasshopper family. He lives in trees and his bright green oval wings resemble leaves so closely he is hard to spot unless he is attracted to your night light. In Spring we are visited by the friendly June Bug. She doesn't look like she can fly. She seems to just drop out of the air and land at our feet. But June Bugs have two sets of wings. They neatly fold them up out of sight. Look for their stout, chestnut colored bodies.
These are just a few of the dozens of Night Creatures you will enjoy
watching in the Heights. Each season brings new visitors, so purchase a
pocket insect guide and go out to greet them!