This combined with local drought for quite a few years now followed by more rain in a month than we typically got in a year caused an insect population explosion, locally. I've not seen so many insects in quite awhile.

It's still like a tenth of what I remember as a kid in the 90's :(

Haven't witnessed a locust swarm since like 2002.

...remembering the disgusting camper van grill cleaning job at every gas station 🤮 baked on insect guts and gibs.

Same here. in the 80s our family trips through Alberta and Saskatchewan would result in the car's windshield and radiator being covered in various types of bugs; we kids would be fascinated by all the different types (though most were grasshoppers). No more. We've severely fucked up the biosphere when insects are diminishing like this.