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Bogong Moth | Daily Animal Facts

Animal profile

Bogong Moth

Agrotis infusa

InsectaBreeds on inland plains; aestivates in high alpine caves and rock crevicesEndangered

Field profile

A brown noctuid moth that migrates each spring from inland breeding grounds to the Australian Alps, where it spends the summer packed into cool caves. It was an important seasonal food for Aboriginal peoples and remains a critical food source for the mountain pygmy-possum.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2026-08-04

Bogong Moth

The bogong moth steers by Earth's magnetic field

Bogong moths fly up to a thousand kilometres to alpine caves they have never visited. Flight simulator experiments showed they combine a magnetic sense with visual landmarks, and that scrambling either one leaves them unable to hold a course.

Read with evidence →