More grizzly bears are chowing-down on army cutworm moths in the southeastern part of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem every summer, according to a recent study.

"It's a very intriguing food resource that we want to keep track of," said ecologist Frank van Manen from Bozeman's Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team.

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Surveys via aerial methods of the 29 moth sites inside the 9,210 square-mile area showed the small bugs, which are rich in fat and protein, can attract hungry grizzlies.

Researchers spotted 470 grizzly bears roaming the 29 moth sites. Further analysis has shown that 220 unique individuals grizzlies were at those sites this year, along with 19 females and their cubs.

Grizzly bear researchers didn't officially recognize the sites until the 1980s. Since then, researchers have looked more closely to search for moth areas within Yellowstone. They've documented 37 sites, including another 16 potential locations.

Nearly 80 percent of the confirmed sites are being used by the bears to feed their need for food. But that doesn't mean it's the only resource consumed by every bear inside the ecosystem, said researchers.

Grizzlies have varied diets, eating everything from fish and insects to ants and dandelions. The decline of natural sources of protein raised concerns about what grizzlies could alternately eat.

Many bear biologists believe grizzlies, which are still included in the list of endangered species in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, are adaptive enough to look for different food sources.

Another study from the Glacier National Park revealed that a bear could devour up to 40,000 moths a day, which is equivalent to 20,000 calories. This only means that although the moths may be small in size, with wingspans at 2 inches or less, but have a huge caloric punch.

TagsGrizzly Bear, Great Yellow Stone Ecosystem, Army Cutworm Moth