Different colors of artificial night light affect daytime animals in insect food webs

Exposure to seven different light spectra at night affected parasitoid efficiency, resulting in higher aphid densities.

• Aphid population growth was initially unaffected by artificial light at night (ALAN).
• Most ALAN light spectra led to a decline in parasitoid efficiency.
• Reduced parasitoid efficiency resulted in decreased top-down control of aphid populations.
• Higher aphid densities were observed under various ALAN conditions.
• These findings suggest that the specific spectrum of ALAN may significantly influence ecological interactions.

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