Guided by the Stars: How Scientists Uncover the Secrets of Insects Navigating Like Moths to a Flame

The bogong moth has a remarkable ability: it uses the stars to navigate. Andrea Adden, a researcher at The Francis Crick Institute in London, highlights this unique skill.

To uncover how these moths find their way, scientists captured them and put them in a specially designed flight simulator. This setup allowed researchers to observe the moths as they “flew” freely. David Dreyer from Lund University noted that the moths could change direction easily while suspended in the simulator.

Researchers created a magnetic environment to disable the moths’ internal compass and focused on their other senses. By projecting a night sky above them, they noticed how the moths adjusted their flight. When the sky rotated, the moths changed their paths accordingly. However, when a jumbled sky pattern was shown, the moths became confused, proving they indeed rely on stars for navigation.

In another experiment, scientists inserted a tiny window in the moths’ brains to measure electrical activity as different sky patterns were displayed. They found that specific angles triggered strong reactions, while random patterns did not.

Moths’ eyes are small, which limits their view to the brightest stars. Researchers believe they might use the Milky Way as a navigational tool. According to expert Sönke Warrant, the moths likely see the Milky Way more vividly than we do. As they approach their destination in the alpine caves, they might also use their sense of smell to guide them, detecting an odor similar to rotting meat.

The bogong moths live for about a year, spending summer in the caves and returning to their original homes in spring. This remarkable journey showcases how nature has equipped them with impressive navigational skills.

Ken Lohmann, a professor at the University of North Carolina, praised the research. He noted the impressive way moths maintain their flight direction over long distances despite their small brains. This is a testament to the wonders of evolution.

Unfortunately, bogong moths face threats and were listed as endangered in 2021. In recent years, their population has significantly declined due to factors like drought and bushfires in Australia. This new understanding of their navigational abilities might help protect them. For instance, it could inform strategies to reduce light pollution that disorients them in urban areas.

Overall, the study underscores the complex behaviors of these tiny insects and emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts for their survival.



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