Parts of the island are in the midst of a spruce budworm outbreak and people are noticing as the creatures move into the moth stage.

Images and video from areas like Pasadena in recent days show thick swarms of moths around street lights, filling the sky like a heavy snowfall.

Joe Bowden, a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada, says the spruce budworm feasts on spruce and fir trees in its caterpillar stage. The damage can already be seen in some areas.

The insect is now moving into its moth stage, catching the attention of local residents – some who say they’ve never seen anything like it.

Bowden says the moths are about two weeks’ late due to a cooler spring.

In terms of the current outbreak, Bowden says there’s no immediate relief in sight.

He says outbreaks are quite lengthy and can last about 10 to 15 years. The current outbreak, which started on the Northern Peninsula in 2018, is following the same trend as the last outbreak that started in the early ’70s and lasted until the mid-’80s. He says the current infestation is starting to move toward central Newfoundland.

The good news, says Bowden, is that central Newfoundland is dominated by black spruce which are more resilient to the pests.