Nocturnal migration is a remarkable phenomenon observed in many insect species, including moths. Migratory moths are capable of maintaining precise directional orientation during migration, as demonstrated in both laboratory and field studies, suggesting that they use multiple environmental cues for orientation and navigation. Recent studies on Australian Bogong moths revealed that these animals can use stellar cues and likely the geomagnetic field (in conjunction with local visual cues) to select and maintain population-specific migratory direction. However, the underlying orientation mechanisms used by most other migratory moths are still largely unresolved. Further, it remains unclear whether migratory moths can adjust their orientation using geomagnetic field parameters for determining their position relative to the goal (i.e. location or map information) - an ability clearly shown in some migratory birds which respond to virtual magnetic displacements by correcting their orientation (experiments when animals are exposed to magnetic cues corresponding to other geographic locations). Here, we present results from virtual magnetic displacement experiments conducted on red underwings ( Catocala nupta ). In addition, we tested their orientation under simulated overcast conditions and in a vertical magnetic field to get indications whether this species relies on geomagnetic or celestial cues to maintain its population-specific migratory direction. Our results show that (1) red underwings did not compensate for virtual magnetic displacement, indicating the absence of a magnetic map; (2) they remained significantly oriented in the absence of geomagnetic information, suggesting the use of a stellar compass; and (3) there was no evidence of magnetic compass orientation in absence of any visual cues. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. UK Research and Innovation, https://ror.org/001aqnf71, EP/Y036239/1 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, https://ror.org/018mejw64, SFB 1372, grant no. 395940726 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, https://ror.org/018mejw64, EXC 3051, grant no. 533653176

YouTube video by Kyle Horton

Lund University.

Every spring, Bogong moths use the starry night sky as a compass to navigate up to 1,000 km towards their alpine migratory goal.

Seasonal migration in animals is a widespread and complex phenomenon, yet the mechanisms underlying orientation and navigation remain poorly understood in many taxa. While significant progress has bee...