Why the endangered species is making a surprising return to NSW and Sydney
ScienceThe Age

Why the endangered species is making a surprising return to NSW and Sydney

Bogong moths, which nearly vanished from NSW between 2017 and 2019, are back in surprising numbers this spring, delighting scientists and citizen researchers.

Bogong moths numbers have surged after years of decline, flying evidence of an ancient transfer of vital nutrients from lowlands to the fragile high country.

The Long Sip
What happened

Bogong moth numbers have surged across NSW and Sydney this spring after a near total population collapse that saw them listed as endangered in 2021.

The detail

Numbers crashed by more than 99 per cent between 2017 and 2019 after drought hit their lowland breeding areas, down from an estimated eight billion in the 1980s.

And then

Scientists say better rainfall likely helped, but the moths remain mysterious and researchers are still tracking their movements through citizen science projects.

For you

You can help track the moths by submitting photos to the iNaturalist website as part of the Bogong Watch citizen science project.

Full story at The Age

What readers are saying

tomt
The numbers dropped over 99 percent between 2017 and 2019 after drought hit their lowland breeding areas yet this spring the traps are heaving again even though the caves up high are still getting warmer with climate change. That means the recovery could be fragile if the high country conditions do not improve.
pete1958
Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night. The article says it stops the moths from being drawn from their migration path and helps them on their way.

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