April 25, 2012

Attack of the Miller Moths

Yes, there are more of them this year.
Linda McMulkin, horticulture coordinator for Colorado State University Extension of Pueblo County, said the spring moth population usually experiences a wild population explosion only after a wet summer and fall that's followed by a mild winter.

It's been bone dry in these parts for some time, but the mild winter and earlier spring temperatures may have allowed more of last fall's eggs to survive and take flight in search of a sweet buffet . . . . What can miller-hating humans do about the flitty, nasty creatures? Not much.
I've been seeing more of those smaller, tan moths that normally invade in May. Should look them up in the insect field guide.

Update, May 5, 2012: Revenge of the moths.

3 comments:

Darrell said...

The moths showed up, but I haven't seen the swifts or swallows yet, whatever the birds are that dive bomb the moths at road intersections during stoplights. I wonder what the story is behind that?

COLib said...

I've been wondering as well. Is it that the moths have come earlier and/or the swallows later, or has something happened to the swallow population?

Chas S. Clifton said...

COLib: I wondered the same thing. I sat out at dusk yesterday wandering why I saw no bats with all these moths staggering through the air.

There was a poor-will calling, though. Maybe it ate some moths.