Eastern Montana moth populations seeing a boom this year

While large swarms of grasshoppers or mosquitoes have been typical summer fair for the region over the past few years, they are being joined by another group this year: miller moths. In recent weeks, area residents may have noticed that there has been a significant increase in the moth population, and while they may not be the most harmful insect around, their presence has certainly been noticed.

According to Montana State University entomologist Dr. Robert Peterson, it has been a combination of factors that have allowed the population of moths to explode this season. Namely among them, a larg...