Lost in the Glow: How Light Pollution Disrupts Pollinator Behavior
Kadambini Das
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India.
Niraj Kumar
Department of Zoology, Laxmi Narain Dubey College, Motihari, East Champaran, Bihar, India.
Rajkumari Supriya Devi
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.
Subhalakshmi Rout
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.
Saraswati Majhi
Department of Botany, Shailabala Women's Autonomous College, Cuttack affiliated to Rama Devi Women's University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Bhagwati Prashad Sharma
Department of Botany, Sidharth Government College, Nadaun, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Sanjeet Kumar *
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts natural light–dark cycles and affects the behaviour, navigation, and activity of nocturnal pollinators. These disruptions reduce flower visitation and pollination efficiency, weakening reproductive success in night-blooming plants and threatening ecosystem stability. A structured literature review was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Studies focusing on ALAN’s behavioural, ecological, and pollination-related impacts on nocturnal pollinators were selected and synthesised. ALAN causes behavioural disorientation, altered foraging, and reduced pollen transfer in moths, beetles, bats, and nocturnal bees. White and green lights are most disruptive, leading to up to 62% declines in nocturnal visits and reduced fruit set. Long-term exposure contributes to declines in nocturnal pollinator diversity and reduced yields in crops dependent on night pollination. ALAN is an emerging global threat to pollination services. Mitigation through warm-spectrum lighting, reduced illumination, and ecological light management is essential to conserve nocturnal pollinators, maintain biodiversity, and support ecosystem and agricultural resilience.
Keywords: Artificial light, night, pollinator, reproductive behavior, ALAN