When conditions in its feeding grounds warm and dry out in spring, the fully grown caterpillars transform into pupae in the soil, from which adults later emerge and migrate south to the highlands of the Great Dividing Range. Its caterpillars live in the north east plains in winter where they feed on a range of native leguminous and other broad-leaved plants as well as on crops such as cotton and even grasses such as wheat. It is for this remarkable long distance migration pattern that the Bogong Moth justifies protection. In spring, adult moths undertake a long-distance nocturnal migration from the northwest plains of New South Wales and the downs of southern Queensland to the mountain ranges of the southeast, with the reverse journey in autumn. They include three mammals, two parasitic nematode worms, springtails and two birds. I note below six animal groups which are known to be dependent, at least partially, on these moths and there may be more. A study of the moth’s ecology has revealed a complex network of ecological relationships and shows that the loss of one species can result in a population collapse of several other species, all part of the interconnected, dependent species in the network.

Now why is this particularly important? It is because of an intricate web of interconnected and dependant other species in its summer sites that rely on high moth numbers for food, one of which is the endangered Mountain Pygmy Possum. No, the reason for the listing is that in the past, moth numbers were estimated to be in the billions, but a massive reduction has been observed over the last few years. It also can be a pest of crops such as cotton and wheat where the caterpillars cause damage and are controlled by the application of insecticides. Quite the opposite, as the moth is considered by some as a nuisance, as at certain times of year, large numbers were attracted to lights in cities like Canberra, entering houses and offices where they cluster in nooks and crannies to the consternation of the inhabitants who hasten to destroy them. Its existence is not threatened by any disease nor is it harvested for food any longer.

Nor does it provide economic benefits as does another moth, the silkworm. The Bogong moth has just been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and put on their Red List, but why? On a first impression the moth is not particularly attractive, unlike the endangered Ulysses swallowtail butterfly, as it is smaller and a nondescript brown in colour.

National Parks & Wildlife Service – budget cutsĭr Penelope Greenslade, School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University.

The moth and the mountain