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Green worms and ferns #752224

Asked May 26, 2021, 10:28 AM EDT

My outdoor ferns come back every year without fail. But for year the first time in the 19 years I have been here, the fronds have been devoured. When I looked closer, I did see some inch long green worms. Could that be what is eating the ferns? What are they and how can I get rid of them? Should I just cut back the ferns for the year?

Jackson County Oregon

Expert Response

I don't see any "worms" on your fern but the damage looks extensive. Those worms are caterpillars, leaf chewing insects that are the larvae of butterflies and moths. I do suggest you cut back the damaged fronds and give the fern some diluted fertilizer, such as fish emulsion, to encourage new growth.

The first step to solving the problem is picking off the caterpillars and throw them in a bucket of soapy water. Do this over a period of time.

The Pacific Northwest Insect Handbook has information on the life cycle of these pests and their natural enemies. Here is the link https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/common/landscape-caterpillar

A link within the Handbook will take you to information on chemical controls, which includes organic controls. Several pages in you will find controls for chewing insects and look for caterpillars under that.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 26, 2021, 9:50 PM EDT
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Can you tell the type of caterpillar from the picture? For the amount of damage it seems like there should be hundreds but I had a hard time finding even one. Is there a time of day they are more active?

Do you know if they will continue reproducing and devouring all summer or is this more of a springtime infestation?  Why have I never had this damage before?  Do you thinks it’s just a particularly bad year? 

I am hesitant to use chemicals and would prefer to pick them off but I don’t see very many. Would spraying soapy water directly on the ferns help at all?

I know, a lot of questions. Thank you very much for your help!


On May 26, 2021, at 6:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 9:25 AM EDT

A very hungry caterpillar can do a lot of damage in a short time, as their sole mission in life is to eat and turn into a moth or butterfly. As the fronds grow back continually check for caterpillars on and underneath the fronds. Watch for and destroy eggs on leaves and on the soil around the plant.

I have looked through a couple hundred photos of caterpillars and its moth/butterfly in the publication Lepidoptera of the Pacific Northwest and saw a couple of caterpillars that look like your picture, but the description of what specific plants host the caterpillar does not mention ferns. https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET_03_11.pdf

There are several recipes on the web for homemade soap and water formulations, but none have been scientifically tested for effectiveness and safety for the plant. The link I sent you previously lists Bt as being effective insecticide and insecticidal soaps. Both would be organic.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 27, 2021, 4:19 PM EDT

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