Tracking Bogong Moths: A Groundbreaking Citizen Science Initiative in Australia

A collaborative effort involving researchers and citizen scientists is set to track 10,000 bogong moths as they migrate from the Australian Alps to their breeding grounds in the southeast. This initiative, modeled after the successful monarch butterfly migration tracking program in North America, aims to fill critical knowledge gaps about the moths' breeding locations and migratory routes. The project will commence next week at Mt Kosciuszko, where numbered paper tags, each the size of confetti, will be affixed to the moths using eyelash glue.

The Guardian

Dr. Kate Umbers, an associate professor in zoology at Western Sydney University and managing director of Invertebrates Australia, emphasized that this tagging method is the first of its kind for bogong moths. The tagging process is described as "laborious and time-consuming," yet manageable with a team of 20 researchers and volunteers over a span of 10 days. Each moth will be temporarily anaesthetized with carbon dioxide before the tag is applied, ensuring that the procedure does not harm the insects or alter their behavior. The ambitious goal of tagging 10,000 moths is intended to enhance the likelihood of re-sightings, which are crucial for understanding their migration patterns.

The Guardian

To support the tracking efforts, over 50 households in southeastern states have been designated as "sentinels," equipped with bug lanterns to attract the tagged moths. Residents like Louise Freckelton, who operates a sheep farm near Adelong, and Suzanne Newnham, a bush block resident near Wee Jasper, have expressed enthusiasm for participating in the project. Freckelton noted the ecological importance of bogong moths for local wildlife, particularly pygmy possums, while Newnham highlighted her fascination with moths and the opportunity to contribute to scientific research.

The Guardian

The bogong moth has been listed as globally endangered since 2021, and this project aims to gather essential data that could influence conservation efforts. By encouraging public participation in monitoring tagged moths, researchers hope to gather valuable evidence of the moths' migratory behavior. Dr. Umbers stated that even a single sighting of a tagged moth would provide significant insights, with the success of the project hinging on community engagement.

The Guardian

Dr. Umbers remarked on the significance of the project, stating, "We need eyes out, all over, all of the time." She emphasized that the initiative represents a proactive approach to understanding and conserving the bogong moth population, which is critical amid ongoing climate and extinction crises.

The Guardian

• “It’s low-tech, high-effort tagging, where you put a little sticker on an individual moth and see if you can catch it again,” — Dr. Kate Umbers, Associate Professor in Zoology

The Guardian

• “We’re deeply interested in the environment and ecology, and we know the pygmy possums up in the mountains rely on the bogong moths to turn up when they wake up out of their winter hibernation,” — Louise Freckelton, Sheep Farmer

The Guardian

• “If we saw 100 of our tagged moths again, it would be an amazing success.” — Dr. Kate Umbers, Associate Professor in Zoology

The Guardian

This innovative project not only aims to enhance scientific understanding of bogong moths but also fosters community involvement in conservation efforts, highlighting the interconnectedness of local ecosystems.

The Guardian