Bogong moths swarm Australian cities despite their endangered status
Bogong moths migrate in millions each spring but warming threatens their alpine habitat.
Millions of bogong moths are swarming Australian cities this spring. Despite the spectacular display, they remain on the international endangered species list.
Climate change is the real threat: warming Australian Alps threaten the cool caves where these insects shelter from summer heat. Scientists don't yet know if populations are recovering or if we're just seeing them more in cities this year.
Australians are helping fill knowledge gaps by recording hundreds of sightings on platforms like iNaturalist. These citizen reports have revealed new details, such as the moths' preference for bottlebrush and spider-flower plants.
The last visible bogong swarm in Sydney and Canberra happened 26 years ago.
- Agrotis infusa
- Scientific name
- 2000 Olympics closing ceremony
- Last major Sydney swarm
- Callistemons and Grevilleas
- Plant preferences found
- IUCN Red List endangered
- Conservation status
Why it mattersBogong moths signal the health of Australia's alpine ecosystems. If climate warming destroys their cool-cave habitat, it warns that entire mountain systems are in trouble.
