Florida Fern Caterpillar – Calllopistria floridensis

Florida Fern Caterpillar (Calllopistria floridensis) Common Name: Florida Fern Caterpillar Latin Name: Calllopistria floridensis Appearance: Eggs: The eggs are small longitudinal and transversely ribbed spheres that have been flattened. They are 0.5 mm broad and have a yellowish tinge to their light green color. Pupa: The Florida fern caterpillar’s pupa is cylindrical, reddish-brown, tapering at the hind end, and is 13 to 20 mm long. At the back end, there are two tiny, outcurved spines. The pupa develops inside a cocoon, often coated in soil fragments and dead or damaged leaflets. Larva: A light-green form, a green form with an upper white line and a lower black line down each side, a form with the upper and lower white and black lines down each side plus black spots on the back and upper sides, a velvety dark-striped or black form, and a velvety dark-striped or black form with a white line down each side are the five color forms of the Florida fern caterpillar’s larva. Green worms occasionally have thick, white stripes on either side and thin, pale yellow lines on the back. When fully grown, the caterpillars are 32 to 38 mm long. Adults: A pretty brownish bug with patterned wings, the Florida fern caterpillar moth. The forewings bear a light chevron at the tip and a dark-reddish-brown triangle along the outer edge. The forewing tips are a little ragged. 28 mm is the wingspan. Particularly in the males, the legs are noticeably tufted. Male and female moths often have darker colors. Host plants: The Florida fern caterpillar has been observed to eat ferns (at least 14 species), including maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.) and Boston ferns. Various forms of sword ferns (Nephrolepis exultata), holly ferns (Cyrtomium), table ferns and silver ferns (Pteris spp.), rabbit’s foot ferns (Polypodium spp.), Blech A host has also reportedly been identified as asparagus sprengeri.   Territory: The Florida fern caterpillar occurs naturally in Florida and tropical America. Anywhere ferns are imported, they can occasionally be found as a pest in greenhouses. Damages caused by Florida Fern Caterpillar: Florida fern caterpillars are energetic feeders, and a number of them can cause significant plant damage. Although larger caterpillars will eat harder leaves and vulnerable stems, caterpillars tend to feast on the most delicate vegetation. Frequently, the caterpillars ingest more plant material than they chew off. Life history and habitat: The eggs are placed singly towards the terminals of fern leaflets. In one research, females produced an average of 465.4 eggs. The eggs hatch in 5 to 7 days and the small young caterpillars eat largely at night on the sensitive new leaves. During the day, the caterpillars normally hide on the stems at the base of the plants or in the soil. Most larvae develop in five stages, while some female larvae may develop in six steps. Caterpillars develop in around 36 days and spin a cocoon on the earth’s surface to pupate. A new generation of moths emerges 12 to 16 days later (almost 4 weeks in chilly weather) to mate and deposit eggs. Development is likely to be slower at northern latitudes during the winter months because caterpillars appear to cause less harm during this time. Florida fern caterpillars are particularly harmful in tropical environments during dry seasons. Moths are active at night and hide under benches or in other dark places during the day. The moths survive for around ten days.