AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is asking for the public's help in locating destructive winter moth populations around the state.
The department's forest service wants to get a better handle on the location and size of the moths. It has set up an online survey that allows residents to report sightings of the insect.
The invasive moth came to North America from Europe in the early part of the 20th century. They do damage to trees and shrubs in the early spring.
The small, tan moth flies when it's dark, making it possible for people to observe it early in the evening in the winter.
