Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken Fern) [Dennstaedtiaceae]
(Observations are from Wagner, Covell, Smith, Blackman & Eastop, Pepper, Robinson & Bradley, Spencer & Steyskal, Panzer et al.)
Diptera (Flies)
Agromyzidae: Phytoliriomyza clara [larvae are leaf-miners; widespread] SS1986, Phytoliriomyza pulchella [probable host plant; found in New York] SS1986
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Macrosiphum ptericolens [distributed east of the Rocky Mountains in North America; records of other ferns as host plants are probably based on misidentifications; this aphid probably has Winterberry & other hollies as winter host plants] BE2013 Pp1965 RB1965, Mastopoda pteridis [distributed in NE USA & Ontario] BE2013 Pp1965
Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps, & Sawflies)
Tenthredinidae: Aneugmenus flavipes [larvae feed on leaves] Sm2006, Strongylogaster multicincta [larvae feed on leaves] Sm2006, Strongylogaster tacita [only adults have been taken from the foliage, posssible host plant] Sm2006
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Geometridae: Homochlodes fritillaria (Pale Homochlodes) [found in northern IL] Cv2005; Noctuidae: Callopistria granitosa (Silver-spotted Fern Moth) Wg2005, Melanchra assimilis (Black Arches) [polyphagous] Wg2005, Papaipema pterisii (Bracken Borer Moth) [larvae feed on rhizomes, oligophagous, found in northern IL] Cv2005 Pnz2006