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SPECIES PROFILE

Bogong Moth (Agrotis infusa)

Noctuidae

IUCN STATUS

Larvae feed on grasses, crops; adults sip nectar during migration

CONSERVATION STATUS

Larvae feed on grasses, crops; adults sip nectar during migration

CLASS

Arthropoda

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE

Agrotis

DIET

Herbivorous (larvae)

HABITAT

Grasslands, agriculture (breeding); alpine caves, rock crevices (aestivation)

🔬 Classification

PHYLUM

Least Concern

CLASS

Arthropoda

ORDER

Insecta

FAMILY

Lepidoptera

GENUS

Noctuidae

📋 Description

SIZE

Wingspan 4-5 cm; body 2 cm, less than 1 gram

COLORATION

Dark brown/black wings, lighter markings (two pale spots); camouflaged

ADAPTATIONS

Long-distance migration, fat reserves for aestivation

🌿 Ecology

HABITAT

Grasslands, agriculture (breeding); alpine caves, rock crevices (aestivation)

DIET

Herbivorous (larvae)

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Agrotis

REPRODUCTION

Southeastern Australia, breeding Queensland-NSW-Victoria; migrates to alpine NSW-Victoria

DIET DETAILS

Nectarivorous (adults)

⚠️ Threats & Conservation

PRIMARY THREATS

Lays hundreds of eggs in soil, larvae hatch autumn, pupate spring, adults late spring

💡 Interesting Facts

1

Alpine Migrants: Bogong moths migrate 1,000 km to Kosciuszko’s caves, their 1-gram bodies fueling mountain pygmy possums with 100 moths nightly. Their millions-strong swarms, disrupted by urban lights, pollinate 50 plants daily, vital for alpine ecosystems

2

Crop Challengers: Larvae consume 200 grams of grasses in Namadgi’s fields, impacting agriculture, while adults sip nectar in Blue Mountains’ crevices. Pesticides kill 20% of populations, but their migration, guided by magnetic fields, persists, supporting biodiversity.

🔭 Sighting Guide

📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT

Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales has Thredbo and Charlotte Pass crevices for moth sightings in summer

Namadgi National Park in Australian Capital Territory features Mount Ginini caves with large moth numbers

Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales offers Wentworth Falls crevices for moth sightings in summer

🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT

September-October. Spring migration brings moths to alpinerobotics to alpine caves for aestivation.

🎯 SIGHTING TIPS

Visit caves at dusk to observe moths clustering in large numbers.