DENVER — Miller moth season has arrived in Colorado.
The insects' yearlong migration pattern takes them westward over Colorado's Front Range, between stops on the eastern plains and the mountains, during late spring.
Peak moth flights might last five to six weeks, generally starting between mid-May and early June, according to Colorado State University (CSU) Extension. They tend to cause most nuisance problems for only two to three weeks.
Coloradoans can expect to see plenty of miller moths this season, but the exact number depends on the weather.
CSU experts said the migrating moths are not harmful and they don’t lay eggs or feed on home furnishings. While it might be tempting to swat or kill moths around the house, experts say to not give into the temptation. The moths are important to Colorado's ecosystem.
Butterfly Pavilion entomologist Francisco Garcia Bulle Bueno said during last year's migration season that miller moths are pollinators, meaning they help assist plants to reproduce.
Bueno said moths are as important pollinators as butterflies. Butterflies pollinate during the day and look bright, beautiful and charismatic. Moths pollinate at night and are notorious for being attracted to electric lights.
Miller moths avoid daylight and seek shelter before daybreak in, ideally, a daytime shelter that is dark and tight. Small cracks in the doorways of homes, garages and cars make perfect hiding spots for the moths.
Bueno said if people are bothered by miller moths, they should turn off porch and outdoor lights early during the evening.
"What we recommend to people is don't kill them," Bueno said. "They're just here for awhile. They're going to be passing by. They just need a little hotel to spend the day. They will not bother anyone, they are harmless, they don't have a sting, they are totally chill."
Miller moths are also delicious for birds and bears, making them vital to the Colorado ecosystem.
The return flights (mountains to the plains) for the moths occurs early fall usually span a shorter period of time, typically beginning in late September. Because the majority of moths die during the summer, the return flight is less obvious.
Facts about Colorado's 'miller moth'
CSU said the term "miller moth" is given to any type of moth that is abundant in and around homes. In Colorado, the common "miller moth" is the adult stage of the army cutworm.
The caterpillar stage of the army cutworm feeds on crops and garden plants in winter and early spring. The adult form of the army cutworm feeds on nectar in late spring through early fall.
During warm months the moths migrate to higher elevations as they seek flowering plants.
Areas close to Colorado's mountains receive moths that may have migrated well over a hundred miles en route to summer feeding sites, according to CSU.
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