Bogong moth swarms mistaken for rain on NSW weather radar

Millions of bogong moths blown towards the NSW Central Coast may have appeared on weather radar as rain, despite clear skies. The Bureau of Meteorology says its equipment is working properly; the unusual readings could help researchers track the endangered moths’ migration and population.

The moths migrate each spring from inland parts of Queensland, central NSW and western Victoria to caves in the southern Alps, travelling mainly at night. Strong winds in September pushed unusually large numbers towards Sydney, and radar echoes appeared around sunrise and sunset, when the insects are active. The spring migration also provides food for critically endangered mountain pygmy-possums, and people can submit moth sightings to Zoos Victoria’s tracker.