Bogong Moths Use Stars and Magnetism for Migration

Scientists have found that Australia's Bogong moth is the first known invertebrate to navigate long distances using both the stars and Earth's magnetic field. Each year, these moths migrate up to 1,000 kilometers at night from southeastern Australia to alpine caves, returning later to breed and die. Laboratory experiments showed moths could orient correctly with a starry sky but became disoriented when the stars were altered, revealing a dual navigational system. Celestial navigation serves as a backup when magnetic cues fail, a capability previously attributed only to birds, humans, and possibly seals. Researchers also mapped neural circuits in the moths' brains responsible for processing navigational cues, demonstrating sophisticated cognitive abilities in insects. These findings help explain the moths' precise migration and deepen understanding of animal navigation.