Endangered Bogong Moths Make a Strong Comeback in Australia, Thrilling Experts
Massive swarms of endangered bogong moths have been observed in New South Wales, Australia, marking the largest population seen in recent years and exciting conservation experts.
Huge swarms of bogong moths have recently surprised residents in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Experts are calling these sightings of the endangered native insect a cause for excitement rather than alarm. Over the weekend, hundreds of moth sightings from coastal areas were posted to the iNaturalist page for Bogong Watch, a citizen science initiative run by Invertebrates Australia.
Highlights
- Bogong moth sightings have surged to record levels this year, following increased observations over the past two years.
- In September alone, more bogong moths have been sighted than in all of last year.
- This resurgence offers hope for the species' recovery, after its population catastrophically collapsed by up to 99.5% between 2017 and 2019.
- The moths hold significant ecological and cultural importance, acting as pollinators and a crucial food source for the critically endangered mountain pygmy possum.
- Experts are urging the public to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights and avoid using insecticides.
Details
Spring marks the beginning of the bogong moths' annual migration, where they travel up to 1,000 km to cool caves in the Australian Alps to escape the summer heat. Linnea Emneby, project manager for Bogong Watch, reported that volunteers observed high numbers of the insects. On Monday, three NSW households each reported dozens of moths, while one sentinel sighted over 200 bogongs on Sunday night.
Dr. Marissa Parrott, a reproductive biologist at Zoos Victoria, stated that this year's sightings have far surpassed those of the last two years. "We’re absolutely thrilled with what we’re seeing," Parrott said, adding, "The reports just keep coming in… one of my team members was in tears with excitement this morning." She noted that the large numbers are concentrated in NSW and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), with Victoria still lagging. Wetter, cooler weather is believed to have created favorable conditions for the moths.
Why it matters
Bogong moths have been listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2021. These moths were once so numerous that they periodically swarmed Parliament House in Canberra. During the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, a massive swarm drawn by stadium lights was mistaken for a rain cloud by weather forecasters. This population rebound is seen as a promising sign for the future of this vital species within Australia's ecosystem.