Many insects are attracted to favorite smells such as human perspiration, decaying matter, perfume and the scent of flowers and plants, but did you know that many insects are also attracted by colors? I thought that it would be interesting to examine a few common insects and how colors affect how they interact with humans.
First is the common fly. Flies, according to the University of Florida Entomology Department, are attracted to ultra-violet light and blue. That is why many flycatching devices are blue. Fruit flies are partial to yellow bright colors. While they are attracted to the colors mentioned, they also avoid colors that imitate their natural habitat like greens and browns due to natural predators that share habitats that are green and brown in color.
The multi-colored Asian Lady Beetle is also an insect that is attracted to lighter colors like white, light gray and yellow. Evidence of this fact can be seen in how the Asian Lady Beetles tend to congregate on the outside of the light-colored building when nights are cool and days are warm. Of course, sunlight shining on light colored surfaces of buildings also plays a part in attracting insects by warming up the buildings’ surfaces making the area perfect for overwintering. It appears this is the case with brown marmorated stinkbugs who are attracted to lighter buildings in the fall.
Bed Bugs prefer Black and red possibly due to the fact that these colors mimic harborages that are preferred by the Bed bugs while are least attracted to white, yellow and light green since they are averse to light.
Mosquitoes, according to research by the University of Washington, found in that these bloodsuckers were attracted to red, black, and cyan while the colors green, purple, light blue, and white acted as a deterrent.
It is interesting that insects and humans may share the likes and dislikes of color.