From Sydney and the Central Coast, through the Illawarra and down towards the South Coast, NSW has been hit by a full-blown MOTH MADNESS!
Huge numbers of Bogong moths have been spotted over the weekend, with residents finding them covering windows, hanging around lights and even sneaking inside homes.
Basically, if you’ve got a light on, there’s a good chance a Bogong knows about it.
Why Are There So Many?
The moth invasion is actually part of the Bogong moth’s annual migration towards the Australian Alps.
The moths can travel up to around 1,000 kilometres, and strong winds can push huge numbers towards the NSW coast.
Once they arrive, artificial lights can attract them towards homes, businesses and pretty much anywhere else that happens to be glowing.
It’s Not All Bad News
While having your house covered in moths might not sound ideal, their arrival is actually important for Australia’s ecosystem.
Bogong moths are an important food source for animals including the critically endangered mountain pygmy possum, and they also play a role in pollination.
The species has suffered significant population declines in recent years and is listed as endangered.
So while the Illawarra might be asking “How do we get rid of them?”, scientists are likely looking at the moth madness a little differently.
For now, though, maybe turn off that porch light.
