Australian Bogong Moths Navigate Long Distances Using Stars
Bogong moths are the first invertebrates known to use the stars for navigation, traveling up to 1,000 kilometers during migration.
Overview
- Bogong moths migrate up to 1,000 kilometers to escape heat, using stars for navigation.
- This behavior marks the first instance of invertebrates navigating long distances using celestial cues.
- The moths adjust their flight patterns based on changes in the night sky during their journey.
- Research published in Nature highlights the significance of the Milky Way in moth navigation.
- After a decline due to environmental factors, the moth population has rebounded, showcasing their remarkable navigation skills.
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Analysis
Emphasizes Bogong moths' unique ability to navigate long distances using the stars for guidance.
Bogong moths are the first known insects to navigate long distances using the stars, a skill previously thought to be exclusive to birds.
A new study reveals that Australian moths use the stars as a compass for their annual migration.
Scientists are curious about how moths navigate to unfamiliar locations.
The findings were published in the journal Nature on Wednesday.
Researchers are uncertain about the specific features of the night sky that moths rely on for navigation.
The moths adjusted their flight patterns based on the alignment of the stars in the night sky.
The moths became disoriented when presented with a randomized sky pattern or when the stars were in random places.
During hot temperatures, Bogong moths migrate 620 miles to cool down in caves in the Australian Alps.
Articles (3)
Center (2)
"…The new findings could help stem the decline of the species."
NBC News·1M·"…It’s an impressive feat for Bogong moths whose brains are smaller than size of a grain of rice to rely on the night sky for their odyssey."
Associated Press·1M·FAQ
Bogong moths migrate from breeding grounds in southern Queensland, western and northwestern NSW, and western Victoria to the Australian Alps in spring, and return in autumn.
The migration is thought to be triggered by factors such as unsuitable summer grasses for larvae and increasing temperatures, possibly linked to changes in day length as a cue.
Bogong moths use celestial cues, including the stars, to navigate during their migrations. The Milky Way is particularly significant in their navigation.
History
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