爆走黑料

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a growing threat to biodiversity, as many nocturnal insects are drawn towards light (‘flight-to-light’), disrupting ecosystems and reducing prey for other fauna. We hypothesise that twilight duration, determined by latitude, affects insect attraction to ALAN. Short, consistent twilights at lower latitudes may create stronger visual contrast between artificial and natural light, increasing attraction and capture rates compared to higher latitudes with variable night lengths. This Wellington-based project is part of a global study, supervised by Dr Bridgette Farnworth (VUW), with support from Dr Phil Sirvid (Te Papa). The student will help set light traps, collect and sort insects, and record data. Applicants must be comfortable working outdoors at night and have warm clothing, sturdy footwear, a torch, a full driver's licence, and access to a vehicle. Pre-application discussions with Dr Farnworth are strongly encouraged.