In an ambitious conservation effort, a dedicated team of researchers and volunteers has embarked on a groundbreaking project to track the elusive bogong moth across Australia. Over a ten-day span, they will tag approximately 10,000 of these nocturnal insects, monitoring their migration from the Australian Alps to their breeding grounds in the southeastern regions of the country. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to fill critical knowledge gaps about the moth’s lifecycle, with potential implications for its conservation status.
A Labor of Love: The Tagging Process
The tagging operation, inspired by the successful Monarch Watch programme that tracks the migration of monarch butterflies in North America, hinges on a surprisingly simple method. Each moth will receive a tiny paper tag, no larger than a sprinkle of confetti, secured to its wing with eyelash glue. Dr Kate Umbers, a zoology associate professor at Western Sydney University and the project’s lead, described this process as “low-tech and high-effort.”
“It’s a meticulous task,” Umbers explained, “but it’s not as daunting as it seems. Once the team is organised, it becomes quite manageable.” The researchers will employ carbon dioxide to cool and temporarily anaesthetise each moth before attaching the tag, ensuring that the procedure is safe and minimally invasive.
With a goal of tagging 10,000 moths, scientists hope to increase the likelihood of re-sightings as these insects traverse vast distances under the cover of darkness.
Engaging the Community: Citizen Scientists Join the Cause
To aid in the monitoring process, more than 50 households across southeastern Australia have been designated as “sentinels.” These homes, equipped with bug lanterns, will attract the moths during their migration from March to May. One such sentinel, Louise Freckelton, operates a sheep farm near Adelong and expressed her enthusiasm for participating.
“We’re deeply invested in our environment and ecology,” Freckelton noted. Her property, recognised for its commitment to limiting light pollution, plays a crucial role in supporting local wildlife, including the pygmy possums that rely on bogong moths for sustenance after their winter hibernation.
Suzanne Newnham, another enthusiastic participant from Wee Jasper, echoed Freckelton’s sentiments. “I love bugs,” she said, excited about the prospect of tracking the tagged moths that often gather at her windows when the lights are on.
Members of the public who spot a tagged moth are encouraged to document their sightings and report them via the project’s website, bogong.org. “We need eyes everywhere, all the time,” said Umbers, emphasising the importance of community engagement in this vital research.
The Conservation Context: Why This Matters
The bogong moth has been classified as globally endangered since 2021, yet its recent bid for protection under Australian law was thwarted by insufficient knowledge regarding its breeding habits and migratory routes. The tagging initiative aims to gather critical data that may support renewed conservation efforts.
Indirect methods of tracking, such as genetic analysis, have provided some insight, but tagging remains the most reliable way to trace the moths’ journeys. “This is the first time we’ve tried this for bogong moths,” Umbers stated, highlighting the urgency of understanding their migratory patterns in the face of climate change and habitat loss.
Why it Matters
The fate of the bogong moth is emblematic of broader environmental challenges facing Australia. With dwindling populations and increasing threats from climate change, this innovative project not only seeks to illuminate the moth’s mysterious life cycle but also serves as a rallying call for conservation efforts. By uniting researchers, volunteers, and the public, the initiative embodies a collective responsibility to safeguard biodiversity. In a world grappling with an extinction crisis, even the smallest of creatures can inspire significant change.
