Effects of light pollution on development rate of the painted lady butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Nov 18, 2025Environmental entomology

Light pollution linked to changes in growth speed of the painted lady butterfly

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Abstract

Butterflies exposed to 24 hours of artificial light at night emerged 1 to 3 days faster than those exposed to 9.5 hours.

  • Artificial light at night can disrupt caterpillar development and timing of metamorphosis.
  • Caterpillars exposed to longer durations of light showed accelerated emergence as butterflies.
  • Exposure to blue LED light may negatively impact butterfly emergence compared to orange or white LEDs.
  • Reduced levels of were observed in hemolymph after exposure to blue LED lights.
  • Orange LED light appears to be less disruptive to the metamorphosis process than blue or white light.

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Key numbers

1 to 3 days
Increase in Emergence Speed
Butterflies emerged faster under 17.5 and 24 h light exposure compared to 9.5 h.
31 h
Delay in Emergence
Orange LED exposed butterflies emerged later than those under white LED.
higher than orange
Reduction
levels were lower in blue and white LED groups compared to orange or no .

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