Bogong moths undertaking their seasonal migration to the Australian Alps are being detected by weather radars across eastern New South Wales, creating radar signatures that resemble rainfall. The phenomenon echoes a notable event during Sydney’s Olympic Games in 2000, when a massive moth swarm attracted to stadium lights was reportedly mistaken by meteorologists for precipitation.
Weather radars operate by emitting radio pulses designed to detect water particles in rain, hail, or snow. However, large concentrations of insect bodies and wings can reflect these signals back to the radar system, producing echo patterns similar to light, widespread rainfall. A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson confirmed that radars across eastern NSW have shown increased echoes lacking corresponding ground-level precipitation, though the spokesperson cautioned that other atmospheric factors, such as temperature inversions, can produce comparable effects.
Researchers view the radar data as a potential asset for studying bogong moth migration patterns. Dr. Kate Umbers, an associate professor in zoology at Western Sydney University, has been investigating bogong breeding locations and migration routes through various methods, including moth tagging and historical documentation. The incidental radar detection presents new research opportunities and raises practical questions about distinguishing between actual rainfall and insect swarms on meteorological displays.
The discovery builds on broader applications of weather radar technology for tracking aerial animals. Professor Justin Welbergen has successfully used radar data to monitor flying fox movements in near-real time and retrospectively over decades, revealing organized departure patterns from roosts. This work led to the development of a prototype system called Aerocast. Similar initiatives exist internationally, such as the BirdCast program in the United States, which tracks bird migrations through weather radar analysis. Researchers anticipate that techniques developed for flying fox detection may be adapted for tracking bogong moths and other aerial species.
Bogong populations had experienced significant declines, though recent sightings suggest recovery may be underway. However, researchers note that abundance in urban areas does not necessarily indicate overall population growth, as alpine habitats remain threatened by climate change. Despite these challenges, the species is capturing renewed public attention and scientific interest during its migration season.
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