Australian bogong moths, known for their nondescript appearance, undertake an incredible two-way migration every year, covering hundreds of miles in each direction. While researchers initially believed the Earth’s magnetic field was the key to navigating this vast landscape, a new study reveals that visual cues from the starry sky play a crucial role.
Neurobiologist Andrea Adden and her team found that the moths use both the magnetic field and visual information to orient and navigate. In a behavioral test, the moths were placed in a mini-planetarium with a projection of the night sky and no magnetic field, but they surprisingly chose a stable direction, aligning with their migratory route.
Further analysis revealed that the majority of neurons responsible for processing visual information were active when the moth faced south, suggesting that the starry sky serves as a compass cue. This breakthrough discovery suggests that insects may have more sophisticated navigational abilities than previously thought.
The study’s findings could aid in conserving the endangered bogong moths and their food sources, highlighting the importance of reducing light pollution to help them continue their star-led journey across the Australian bush.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5434328/how-migrating-australian-moths-find-caves-hundreds-of-miles-away