Story perspectives

Bogong Moths Surge Across Eastern Australia After Drought

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 11:42 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Bogong moths have surged across eastern Australia, forming massive spring swarms.
Citizen scientists on iNaturalist logged thousands of sightings, documenting the population explosion.
Strong north-westerly winds this year drove swarms over coastal NSW and northern Victoria.
The resurgence supports alpine plants and endangered mountain pygmy possums that rely on the moths.
Ecologist Ken Green said the 2017-2019 drought caused the moths’ previous population crash.

1 of 1

Story summary

Bogong moths have surged across eastern Australia, forming massive spring swarms.
Citizen scientists on iNaturalist logged thousands of sightings, documenting the population explosion.
Strong north-westerly winds this year drove swarms over coastal NSW and northern Victoria.
The resurgence supports alpine plants and endangered mountain pygmy possums that rely on the moths.
Ecologist Ken Green said the 2017-2019 drought caused the moths’ previous population crash.