Every spring, billions of Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) migrate from their breeding grounds in southeastern Australia, covering distances of up to 1,000 km to reach previously unvisited locations.
The Bogong Moth utilizes stellar cues and Earth’s magnetic fields to develop a precise navigation system for long-distance night travel. Image credits: Lucinda Gibson & Ken Walker, Museum Victoria / CC by 3.0.
“While we already knew that certain birds and humans can navigate by stars, this is the first evidence showing that insects can do the same,” noted Professor Eric Warrant from the Australian National University and the University of South Australia.
“Bogong moths are remarkably precise navigators. They use stellar patterns as compasses, adjusting their course according to seasonal changes and the time of night.”
“Each spring, billions of Bogong moths emerge from their breeding sites in southeastern Australia, traveling up to 1,000 km to specific caves and rocky outcrops in the Australian Alps.”
“The moths remain dormant in cool, dark shelters throughout the summer and then return in autumn to breed and die.”
Researchers utilized advanced flight simulators and recorded brain activity in a controlled, magnetically neutral environment to study the moths’ navigation under various conditions.
Even without the natural starry sky or magnetic fields, the moths consistently flew in the correct seasonal direction.
They reversed their flight path when the night sky was rotated by 180 degrees, but became disoriented when the stars were jumbled.
“This demonstrates they aren’t merely flying toward the brightest light or relying on simple visual indicators,” Professor Warrant remarked.
“They interpret specific patterns in the night sky to establish their geographical bearings, similar to migratory birds.”
Remarkably, when the stars were obscured by clouds, the moths relied solely on Earth’s magnetic field for navigation.
This dual navigational system guarantees reliable orientation in diverse conditions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqig_xbufe0
Professor Warrant and his team explored the neurological basis of this behavior and discovered specialized neurons in the moths’ brains that respond to star patterns.
These neurons, located in regions responsible for navigation and steering, are most active when the moth faces south.
“This directional tuning indicates that the Bogong moth’s brain encodes celestial information in an exceptionally sophisticated manner,” added Professor Warrant.
“This discovery exemplifies the complex navigational capabilities inherent in the brains of small insects.”
The findings could have implications for robotics, drone navigation, and conservation strategies for species threatened by habitat destruction or climate change.
Bogong moth populations have dramatically declined in recent years, prompting their listing as vulnerable.
This research underscores the necessity of protecting their migratory paths and the dark skies they depend on.
“This insight isn’t merely academic; it illustrates how animals perceive their surroundings,” Professor Warrant stated.
“The night sky has guided human explorers for millennia, and now we understand it also guides moths.”
This study was published this week in the journal Nature.
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D. Drayer et al. Bogong Moths utilize a star compass for long-distance navigation at night. Nature Published online on June 18th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09135-3
Source: www.sci.news
