Bogong, << BOH gawng, >> moth is an Australian moth that has become a serious agricultural pest. The larvae (young) of bogong moths, called cutworms, attack tomatoes, corn, and winter pastures in the lowlands of New South Wales and Queensland. In summer, hatchling moths migrate to cooler mountainous areas. There they cluster in large numbers in rock crevices and estivate (remain inactive) by living off reserves of body fat.
Bogong moths range in color from light brown to almost black, with some lighter markings. Adults have a wingspan of about 2 inches (5 centimeters). These moths once provided Aboriginal people of Australia with an important source of food. When large numbers of the moths estivated, Aboriginal people would gather them and cook them.
