The impact of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on moths (Lepidoptera, Heterocera): A Review of the Literature

The impact of Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) is increasingly recognised as a critical environmental issue, particularly for nocturnal insects such as Lepidoptera Heterocera. To identify key knowledge gaps, we carried out a systematic review of the scientific literature focusing specifically on the effects of ALAN on nocturnal Lepidoptera. Our review encompassed 286 studies, which were categorised according to document type, research methodology, and study objectives. We present here the dataset derived from this literature review (Dataset_S1).
Studies were classified based on the taxonomic focus and primary research aim (application, effect, or physiological response). Further categorisation was conducted to determine the level of biological organisation targeted by the research (single species, species group, or community), as well as the type of study (review, laboratory-based, field-based, or combined laboratory and field). For studies addressing Lepidoptera Heterocera in particular, we also recorded the life stage investigated (larval, pupal, adult, or multiple stages).
Given the specific objective of this research to focus on nocturnal Lepidoptera, we further categorised the type of effect reported in studies addressing this group (Table_S2). The dataset details the nature of the reported effects (positive, negative, or null), classifying each publication according to the life stage investigated (larval, pupal, adult, or multiple stages) and the research context (field-based or laboratory-based). Moreover, we included a brief description of the observed effects and provided abbreviated citations of the respective authors.