Callopistria floridensis, the Florida fern moth or Florida fern caterpillar, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found from North America (including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, New Brunswick, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas), south through the Caribbean (including Cuba), Mexico and Central America (including Costa Rica) to Ecuador.
 The wingspan is about 29 mm. Adults are on wing year round in Florida and the tropics.
 The larvae feed on various ferns, including Nephrolepis exaltata and Pteris vittata. They are highly variable in coloration, ranging from green to brown, black or reddish. It is an occasional pest in greenhouses. The larvae were recently discovered to have high levels of arsenic when feeding on P. vittata, and are the only known terrestrial animal to accumulate arsenic.

harmful

bite

Callopistria floridensis is considered a tree pest because its larvae feed on the foliage of various tree species, causing defoliation and potential damage to the overall health and growth of the trees.

tree pest

Callopistria floridensis can be considered garden pests because their larvae feed on the foliage of various plants, including those commonly found in gardens, which can lead to defoliation and damage to the aesthetic appeal and health of the garden plants.

garden pest

Callopistria floridensis can be considered crop pests because their larvae have been known to feed on the foliage of certain crop plants, leading to defoliation and potential yield loss, which can negatively impact agricultural production.

crop pest

Callopistria floridensis is considered a pest because its larvae feed on the foliage of trees, garden plants, and certain crops, causing defoliation and potential damage to the overall health and productivity of these plants.

google-play-not-available-title

What does florida fern moth eat?

More questions