Fern-Eating Insect - Ask Extension
What is this insect (worm/caterpillar) eating my ferns? We have a large amount of them, and they're really stripping the ferns of their leaves. One ...
Knowledgebase
Fern-Eating Insect #752804
Asked May 28, 2021, 11:30 PM EDT
What is this insect (worm/caterpillar) eating my ferns? We have a large amount of them, and they're really stripping the ferns of their leaves. One of the pictures shows it in relation to my hand size. I tried finding it on your website but had a hard time identifying it. Thank you.
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
This is likely a sawfly larva. Turn one over and count the pairs of “legs.” There should be 6+.
Handpicking the larvae is a preferred method of control. If using an insecticide be sure the label includes sawfly and can be used on ferns. See the following websites for more information:
1. https://bugguide.net/node/view/1392001/bgimage
2. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/sawflies
3. https://www.echopress.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/4604580-Sawfly-damage-and-control
