Swarms of moths in Australia raise hopes for endangered species' recovery
But the moths have made a comeback this year, with reports of the insects invading backyards and homes along Australia's east coast, including Sydney, the capital of New South Wales.
Swarms of moths blanketing homes in southeastern Australia in recent days have raised hopes that the endangered species is recovering, authorities said on Saturday.
Bogong moths, with a wingspan of up to 5cm (2 inches), have experienced years of steep population decline, reducing the visibility of their southern spring migration to caves in the Australian Alps. The journey can cover up to 3,000km (1,900 miles).
But the moths have made a comeback this year, with reports that the insects have invaded backyards and homes along Australia's east coast, including Sydney, the capital of New South Wales.
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"It's really exciting to see this recovering population coming our way," Steve Whan, who represents the alpine area of Monaro in the New South Wales parliament, said in a statement. "The Bogongs are terrific for our ecosystem, supporting our treasured native wildlife like the pygmy-possum and pollinating our eucalyptus trees."
In neighbouring Victoria state, Chief Biodiversity Officer James Todd said it was exciting to see the moths returning in large numbers this year. "The jump in numbers is a positive sign for biodiversity," Todd said in a statement.
The numbers of the moths, which are harmless to humans and legally protected, have fallen due to drought, agricultural intensification and habitat loss, authorities say.
One theory for the rebound is increased rainfall in northern New South Wales, which has produced extra food for the insects' larvae, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
