Light pollution: are nocturnal pollinators and herbivores “blinded by the light”?

This study investigated the effects of light pollution on pollinator and herbivore abundance and diversity, as well as overall pollen transfer and leaf herbivory. Pollination was examined first by observing nocturnal pollinators in their natural habitat in established lit and unlit plots in the native plant meadow at Blandy Experimental Farm. In this experiment, pollination of five Datura stramonium flowers with different colors of fluorescent powder applied to anthers were observed at night. The amount of visitation of each flower was recorded. At sunrise the following morning, the stigmas were collected and analyzed for fluorescent powder of a color that was not originally applied to the flower to measure an analog for pollen transfer. Four trials were conducted.
Nocturnal pollination was also measured by Manduca sexta visiting Datura stramonium in an artificial environment. Three adult hawkmoths, purchased from Carolina, were released in a screened area with three Datura flowers that had fluorescent powder applied to anthers. Flower visitation was recorded for 30 minute durations in lit and unlit treatments with new moths and flowers for each observation.
Herbivore abundance and diversity was investigated by observing cucumber plants in the light plots in the native plant meadow at Blandy for 30 minute intervals at night. Herbivore and predator specimens were collected for later identification if unable to identify on site. Within the same week, photographs were taken of three leaves from five of the eight total plants from each plot and analyzed using Gimp photograph editing software and ImageJ processing software to determine total leaf and herbivory area. Four trials were conducted.