Moth Invasion!

Every year around this time the bogong moth migrates from somewhere near Canberra to somewhere north of Sydney called the Australian Alps. Their flight pattern does not take them directly over Sydney, but with any luck (ie wind) they wind up right in the middle of the city. They're attracted to light, like most moths, and they spill through windows, crevices, or air filtration units at night. Despite the increasing heat, most Sydney-siders keep their windows and doors closed, but these buggers can still find their way in. There have been reports of schools and churches shutting down. In the 1950s a new electrical building attracted so many bogong moths that they filled one lift (elevator) to the point that the cable snapped and it plummeted down the shaft. As recently as the late 1980s the new parliament house in Canberra had to close up shop because of the plague. The architects still struggle to keep fresh air in and thousands of moths out.

So these fellas are just about back in town. I've seen a few, and if I see a few more I may look into the upside of the migration: culinary delight. Canberra, the inland capital city, got it's name from the Aboriginal word Kamberra, which means "meeting place". Why was it a meeting place? Because this time of year you could go there and harvest the cave walls of these guys:


Gather some up, cook them on some hot coals, mash them into a paste and spread on a ritz cracker. Or a bagel. Supposedly they're delicious... nice and nutty. If I can harvest enought I'll let you know.