Why are insects attracted to bright lights at night?

"On any given night, hundreds of moths, flies and other insects can be seen making endless circles around street lamps and porch lights. This may seem like a exercise in futility or further proof that insects are not the sharpest tools in nature's shed, but there are actually several theories on why insects attracted to light make such nightly pilgrimages. There is no single scientific explanation for this behavior, however."

Source - http://www.wisegeek.com/why-are-insects-attracted-to-light.htm

Moths are attracted to lights. I see a lot of them of them around my outside light. It seems that just about any kind of bugs are attracted to lights too, including stinging bugs.

It's just instinct. If you were trapped in a room and you couldn't see anything, and then a small light appeared, would you stay away or go towards it?

	Mishimi -  398 pts -  (2 years ago)
	Well, yeah, we understand that.... Almost every action in life is fueled by instinct, but the question is why do they do it specifically? For what reason specifically? Other than instinct of course, which is obvious. Either way, I see no scientific, proven reason why, so I guess basic instinct is the best answer you can give, no matter how vague it may be.

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