General News
11 October, 2025
Things go bump in the night
RESIDENTS and visitors have had a unique opportunity to explore the nocturnal side of nature during a community moth walk at the Cattana Wetlands in Smithfield.
Guided by local naturalists, participants admired a variety of moth species drawn to bright lights, learning about their life cycles, behaviours and roles in the local ecosystem.
The event came at an exciting time for entomology enthusiasts. Researchers from James Cook University and CSIRO have just identified five new species of cockroaches from the region, including one entirely new genus.
Among them is Carbrunneria cattana, named after the wetlands, where it was discovered, as well as species on the Tablelands north of Mareeba, such as Parectoneura queenslandica and Johnrehnia notata.
“These discoveries highlight how much we still have to learn about Far North Queensland’s rich biodiversity,” said entomologist Dr David Rentz, a co-author of the recent study published in Zootaxa.
“Even familiar places like the Cattana Wetlands can host species that science hasn’t documented before.”
The moth walk offered a hands-on glimpse into this hidden world. Attendees could see the diversity of life active at night, from colourful moths to tiny leaf-litter cockroaches, many of which rarely appear during the day.
Volunteers helped participants identify species, demonstrating how even small creatures play crucial roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Some of the newly-discovered cockroaches, such as Johnrehnia notata, are occasionally attracted to lights, so community events like this moth night may help locals notice them more frequently. Others, like Cattaniaria tripartita, remain elusive, hidden in leaf litter or native grasses, reminding us of the secrets the night still holds.
Guiding the walk was Geoff McClure, a long-time Jabiru volunteer and crocodile expert.
As the night deepened, Mr McClure and the guides spotted two small crocodiles, each around 1.5m long, in the wetlands. Using infrared torches, which are gentler on animals’ eyes, their eyes reflected bright red in the beams of large flashlights. Care was taken to avoid disturbing the animals, with lights angled carefully and movements kept slow and gentle.
The unexpected sighting gave participants a thrill, reminding them that even small crocs share these habitats with moths, cockroaches and countless other nocturnal creatures.
Another free family event in the wetlands is a microbat night on Saturday 22 November, starting at 6 pm in the Cattana Wetlands car park.
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