Magnotion is a science communication project based on the research of prof. Eric Warrant and Lund Vision Group. By exploring the intersection of art, music and science we aim to increase the understanding and appreciation of scientific knowledge.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 741298

Just when you thought you knew everything

about the Bogong moth

there is a new chapter

THE JOURNEY

Please choose The Bogong’s theme below,
a musical accompaniment for your journey

As night falls

you are fast asleep.

Millions of night travelers

start their journey;

flying soundless

towards the mountains

of the south  

scouting their way 

with nocturnal senses

unknown to man

until…

the Bogong moth

renowned for its skills of orientation

starts sharing its secrets.

To follow the Bogong

on its flight takes you

out of your mental pupa;

lifting you over the grand plains

of the Australian wilderness 

towards the chosen caves

in the Alpine Meadows.

Taking cues from

moonlit landmarks

using the Milky Way

as an arrow in the sky

the Bogong starts its journey.

If we understood more

about living in darkness 

we could find direction

with the senses

of the Bogong.

Click and hold the Bogong to move and zoom in the 3D-viewer.
For best experience press full screen.

Looking at every detail

But there will be challenges

along the way.

HUMAN LIGHT TRAPS

diverting thousands of moths

from their flight paths

trapping the night flier

in the daunting

grip of the glare.

Not all Bogongs will make it.

For those that survive

it is time to follow

Earth’s

MAGNETIC FIELD

to guide them onwards,

towards their destination.

Earth’s magnetic field mapped by European Space Agency.

Calibrating technology for studying nighttime flight patterns.

By tethering migrating moths in an outdoor flight simulator, we found that their flight direction turned predictably when dominant visual landmarks and a natural Earth-strength magnetic field were turned together, but that the moths became disoriented within a few minutes when these cues were set in conflict.

We thus conclude that Bogong moths, like nocturnally migrating birds, can use a magnetic sense.

Listen to

Prof. Eric Warrant telling the story

of immigrating moths

in his own words

while driving on location

in the Australian Alps.

As the swarms

of immigrating moths

approach the mountains

particular scent marks

will help them find

the desired destination

in the cramped caves

of their ancestors.

A SCENT of SCIENCE

Imagine

how a drop of

Magnotion

could guide you

through the darkness

every scent of the way.

See more of
The LUXURY of KNOWLEDGE Scicom Exhibition here

But then there’s

B A T S

THE BAT CHOIR sings The Feeding Buzz

As the bat searches the dark air for moths it fires short sound pulses with regular intervals at frequencies far above the limits of human hearing. Here performed 5 octaves lower, at the top of the human voice (G6). As the bat ensonifies the prey, the time intervals get shorter and shorter until the moth is within striking distance….The song ends with the social call of the bat.

Solo by coloratura Johanna Ahlmark-Mannila Choir Ensemble Syd

SUCCESS

Finally, after a perilous flight

across the vast and wild lands

the Bogongs reach their goal

Arriving at a home

they have never seen before

finding their place on the cave walls

preserving energy together.

Bogong moths on cave wall.

Aestivation (from Latin: aestas, summer) is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, although taking place in the summer rather than the winter. Aestivation is characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, a state that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions.

Thank you for taking the journey with us.

Please proceed to the

LUXURY of KNOWLEDGE

exhibition here

Keep following the research progress

of

Professor Eric Warrant

and

Lund Vision Group

MAGNOTION

was made possible by

the European Research Council.