Bogong Moth Uses Stellar Compass

A new study, led by researchers from Lund University and published in Nature (journal), has discovered that the Bogong moth uses the stars as a compass for its annual long-distance migration of up to 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) across Australia. This makes the Bogong moth the first known invertebrate to rely on stellar navigation for such journeys. The research, involving scientists from the Australian National University and the University of South Australia, utilized flight simulators and brain recordings to demonstrate that Bogong moths orient themselves based on specific patterns in the night sky, in addition to using Earth's magnetic field. This dual compass system allows for reliable navigation even in varying conditions. The findings could have implications for technologies like robotics and drone navigation, and are crucial for conservation efforts as the Bogong moth population has declined significantly due to drought and bushfires, leading to its vulnerable status.