Bogong Moths Navigate Using the Stars

In a stunning breakthrough in animal navigation, researchers in Australia have shown that Bogong moths use the stars and the glow of the Milky Way to guide their long-distance migrations. These moths travel hundreds of kilometers each year to reach cool alpine caves where they rest through the summer in a state known as aestivation.

For the first time, scientists placed the moths in a custom-built flight simulator that recreated the night sky. When real star patterns were visible, the moths flew in a steady direction. But when the stars were masked or shifted, the moths became disoriented, clearly demonstrating their reliance on celestial cues.

Bogong moths join a very exclusive group of star-navigating creatures. Until now, only a few animals such as birds and some dung beetles were known to use the stars for orientation. This study expands our understanding of how insects with tiny brains manage such remarkable feats of navigation.

The implications are wide-reaching. It helps explain how moths have been making this journey for thousands of years with pinpoint accuracy. It also raises concerns about light pollution. Artificial lighting in cities may interfere with this natural navigation system, endangering a key pollinator and food source in the Australian ecosystem.

By studying the Bogong moth’s natural GPS, scientists hope to learn more about the neural circuits that enable celestial navigation. The insights could one day contribute to the development of new autonomous navigation systems in robotics or aviation.

This research deepens our appreciation of insect intelligence and the importance of preserving natural night skies.

Sources:

https://phys.org/news/2025-06-stargazing-flight-bogong-moths-night.html

https://www.sciencealert.com/australias-bogong-moths-can-use-the-milky-way-to-navigate