The bogong moth (Agrotis infusa) is a temperate species of night-flying moth, notable for its biannual long-distance seasonal migrations towards and from the Australian Alps, similar to the diurnal monarch butterfly.[3] During the autumn and winter it is found in southern Queensland, western New South Wales, western Victoria,[4] and also in South and Western Australia.[5] Adult bogong moths breed and larvae hatch during this period, consuming winter pasture plants during their growth.[4] During the spring, the moths migrate south or east and reside in mountains such as Mount Bogong, where they gregariously aestivate over the summer until their return towards breeding grounds again in the autumn.[3]
The moth's name, bogong, is derived from an Australian Aboriginal language; the Dhudhuroa word bugung describes the brown colouration of the moth.[6] It is an icon of Australian wildlife due to its historical role as an important food source and because Aboriginal peoples would come to where the moths spend the summer to feast on them and hold intertribal gatherings.[4] In recent years, it has invaded major cities like Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney due to strong winds during its spring migration.[5]
Starting around 1980 and accelerating rapidly after 2016, the Bogong Moth population has sharply declined as a result of increasingly severe droughts, along with increased temperatures in caves used by the moths for aestivation, both primarily resulting from anthropogenic climate change. In December 2021 the bogong moth was added to the IUCN Red List as an Endangered Species.[7]
^Warrant, E.J.; Whitehouse, M.E.A.; et al. (11 February 2021). "Agrotis infusa". doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T190513532A196183274.en. S2CID 245191045. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ abBoisduval, J. A. (1832). Faune Entomologique de l'Océan Pacifique, Avec l'Illustration des Insectes Nouveaux Recueillis Pendant le Voyage. J. Tastu, Paris.[Entomological fauna of the Pacific Ocean, with the illustration of new insects collected during the trip.]
^ abCommon, I. F. B. (1954). "A study of the ecology of the adult bogong moth, Agrotis infusa (Boisd) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with special reference to its behaviour during migration and aestivation". Australian Journal of Zoology. 2 (2): 223–263. doi:10.1071/zo9540223.
^ abcWarrant, Eric; Frost, Barrie; Green, Ken; Mouritsen, Henrik; Dreyer, David; Adden, Andrea; Brauburger, Kristina; Heinze, Stanley (2016). "The Australian Bogong Moth Agrotis infusa: A Long-Distance Nocturnal Navigator". Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 10: 77. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00077. ISSN 1662-5153. PMC 4838632. PMID 27147998.
^ ab"ParlInfo - Bogong moths and Parliament House". parlinfo.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
^"Mount Bogong: 2958: Historical Information". Vicnames. Victorian Government. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
^Cite error: The named reference abcredlist was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
The bogongmoth (Agrotis infusa) is a temperate species of night-flying moth, notable for its biannual long-distance seasonal migrations towards and from...
combined head and body length. Its diet consists of insects (such as the bogongmoth), fleshy fruits, nuts, nectar and seeds. Its body is covered in a thick...
mountains feasting on the protein rich Bogongmoth". Kneebone claims that prior to climbing Mount Bogong and the Bogong High Plains, the tribes would gather...
rendered fat of humans Emperor gum moth (Opodiphthera eucalypti) Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) Bogongmoth (Agrotis infusa), known to have been...
support large breeding populations of flame robins and pilotbirds. The bogongmoth seasonally migrates long distances towards and from the Australian Alps...
Bogong may refer to: Bogongmoth, a large Australian moth species Bogong, Victoria, a locality in Victoria, Australia Bogong High Plains, a region of Victoria...
the common buckeye.: 29–30 A notable species of moth that migrates long distances is the bogongmoth. The most well-known migrations are those of the...
Jagungal, Jar-gan-gil, Tar-gan-gil, Tackingal; however, all of them mean BogongMoth, which aestivate on the mountain. In 2019, "Kunama Namadgi" was submitted...
well known for being winter active and aestivate in temperate climates. Bogongmoths will aestivate over the summer to avoid the heat and lack of food sources...
generations, the monarch migrates north to Canada. The migration of the bogongmoth in Australia. This species migrates from south-eastern Australia to the...
ceremonies. Whilst on the high plains the tribes would feast upon the Bogongmoth, a moth that migrates from breeding grounds in Queensland to the Victorian...
species, and the most agriculturally important cutworm species. The bogongmoth, itself a cutworm, also has been of importance as a seasonal food for...
The Wiradjuri travelled into Alpine areas in the summer to feast on Bogongmoths. The Wiradjuri were also known for their handsome possum-skin cloaks...
held in the High Country during summer for collective feasting on the Bogongmoth. The area was first explored by Europeans in 1835, and in 1840, Edmund...
remains of the moth left on the rock. New Guinea II cave Buchan Caves Costa, Jedda (15 February 2021). "Discovery of ancient Bogongmoth remains at Cloggs...
insects that are locally consumed, as listed by country. Agrotis infusa (Bogongmoth) Bush coconut Honeypot ant Hyles livornicoides (Yeperenye caterpillar)...
Australian Capital Territory. Bogong Rocks is a shelter where the oldest evidence of Aboriginal occupation was found at a bogongmoth resting site. The nature...
held in the High Country during summer for collective feasting on the bogongmoth. The area was first explored by Europeans in 1835, and in 1840, Edmund...
2020-1.RLTS.T123423283A123424374.en Clarke, Melissa (9 December 2021). "Bogongmoth, grey-headed flying fox listed as endangered by IUCN". ABC News. Australian...
in order to arrange for all to meet up in the Bogong Mountains for the annual feasting off the Bogongmoth colonies. Corroborees, together with initiation...
direction of flight. Migration of butterflies and moths is particularly well known. The Bogongmoth is a native insect of Australia that is known to migrate...
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