ANCHORAGE - An unusually large number of moths is swarming around southcentral Alaska.
Michael Rasy, a pest management technician at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension, says it's unusual to have this many active moths this late in the fall.
Rasy says the Cooperative Extension is trying to identify the species with the help of the U.S. Forest Service.
He says the moths are from the geometridae family, but it's unclear if they are native insects or were introduced and spreading.
Moths lay their eggs on trees, so they can be transported on trees and bushes that are shipped north.
Rasy says the moths have probably already laid eggs and they will die soon because of the weather.
The eggs hatch in the spring and the moths begin as caterpillars.