Snout Moths Snuff Out Invasive Ferns
Over 100,000 acres of Florida’s ecosystem have been infested with an invasive plant species, Old Word climbing fern. These ferns grow up to 90 feet in length and have destroyed numerous native plant populations.
ARS partnered with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and the Australian Biological Control Laboratory (ABCL) to collect, identify, and test moth caterpillars feeding on Old World climbing fern in its natural habitat. They found that one species of snout moth, Neomusotima conspurcatalis, has been a successful deterrent of the fern.
The study helped to identify and discover new fern-eating moth species and their caterpillars, which were previously unknown to science. This knowledge is important for future outbreaks of Old World climbing fern, and will be instrumental in protecting U.S. Agriculture, forestry, and native plants populations.