Thanks for clarifying ed__lisa.
I have to admit that my knowledge of these is very limited. They are thought to be made of ice crystals. How they got there is not known and I believe there really is no sound theory either.
I do not know if they are increasing in their frequency or intensity.
I also do not think that they are considered a true meteorological item as they occur in the upper most reaches of the atmosphere, beyond that where "weather" occurs. Of course one could argue that they do occur within the earth's atmosphere and could then be considered a meteorological entity.
Sorry I could not be of more knowledge to you, but they are just something I do not know that much about.
-John