Winter Moths Are Emerging For Mating Season
If you're like me, you've been wondering what's up with all of the moths you've been seeing over the past week or so. We're going to be seeing more of them than last year! Here's why.
According to the Boston Globe, the winter moth is in the middle of its mating season of late fall and early winter. A lot of the moths appearing now are the same ones who ate the leaves this spring as caterpillars and then burrowed into the soil to wait out the summer.
Residents who have already seen moths this fall are likely seeing only a portion of the population. Only male winter moths fly; females climb. Scientists also say they eat almost any kind of tree and have become a huge environmental problem.
Interestingly enough, it seems like the winter moths go through cycles...where their numbers will be up one year, then down the next. We are expecting this season to be an "up" year for the moths.
Additional Reporting by Kiah Heron