How will animals respond to Monday's solar eclipse? Pay attention to how insects react

A total solar eclipse doesn’t affect how people act, but insects, that’s a different story.

On Monday much of the U.S. will experience the natural phenomenon that is a total solar eclipse. Brevard, and all of Florida, is not in the path of totality, but the Space Coast will get to see about 62% coverage.

That may not be enough to disrupt the routine of some little critters but take note. Brevard will be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse in 2045.

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomology Professor Marc Branham explained what to look for if you do find yourself in the path of totality.

What insects are most affected by a total solar eclipse?

Pay attention especially to fireflies, crickets and honeybees.

Branham said a total solar eclipse tricks these insects into thinking it is nighttime because the moon completely blocks the sun creating darkness.  

What information is known about how insects act during a total solar eclipse.

Not much.

Branham attributed this to people looking up at the phenomenon rather than observing the surroundings.

“For all the biologists that are out there and all the organisms that are in nature, there’s a surprisingly small amount of information on the effects on animal behavior during totality,” Branham said. “Most people are so focused on the solar eclipse than what is happening around them.”

How do these insects act differently during an eclipse?

Honeybees tend to stay in their hives, and basically shut down for what they perceive as the night. Crickets can be heard chirping and fireflies often light up the dark sky.

“When you experience these events, it’s the strangest feeling, because it gets really dark, really fast, and you experience other environmental conditions, like it gets cooler in a very short period of time,” Branham said.

What about household pets? How does the eclipse affect them?

Similar to insects, there isn’t a ton of research that’s been done on this topic.

What has been found is that an eclipse doesn’t seem to have an affect on the common household pet.

“Indoor pets may have been unlikely to be fazed because they would have regularly experienced artificial lighting that got switched on and off,” according to a report by Scientific America.

Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.