Media release

From: The Royal Society

Latitude shapes diel patterns in insect biodiversity

When do most bugs come out? The answer depends on how close you are to the equator. A new global study reveals that the activity patterns of insects – whether they’re buzzing around by day or night – are strongly influenced by latitude. Analysing 60 insect communities worldwide, the study shows that tropical regions near the equator have a higher proportion of nocturnal insect species, while regions closer to the poles are more likely contain insects that are active both day and night. This fascinating pattern mirrors what scientists have observed in other animals, suggesting that temperature, light, and ecological factors all play a role in shaping activity time.