Insect attraction to wind turbines: does colour play a role

• Published in: European journal of wildlife research Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 323 - 331
• Main Authors: Long, C. V, Flint, J. A, Lepper, P. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Berlin/Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag 01.04.2011; Springer-Verlag; Springer Nature B.V; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Color; Ecology; Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management; Insectivores; Insects; Landscape ecology; Life Sciences; Light effects; Mortality; Original Paper; Paints; Turbines; Wildlife; Wildlife management; Wildlife mortality; Wind; Wind farms; Wind power; Zoology; Wildlife mortality; Insects; Wind power; Turbines; Colour
• ISSN: 1612-4642; 1439-0574
• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-010-0432-7

The phenomenon of wildlife mortality at wind turbine installations has been generating increasing concern, both for the continued development of the wind industry and for local ecology. While an increase in aerial insectivore activity in the vicinity resulting from insect attraction to turbines remains a strong possibility, little research exists on the possible causes for such events. In this paper, the relative attraction of a selection of specific turbine colours and other hues is assessed in order to determine if turbine paint colour could be influencing insect numbers at these installations. The common turbine colours ‘pure white' (RAL 9010) and ‘light grey' (RAL 7035) were among those found to attract significantly more insects than other colours tested, suggesting colour may well have a role to play in potential mitigation.