For many years a very persistent Hart's-tongue Fern has grown in a damp corner just outside our back door. A few nights ago I was running the moth trap in our garden and was feeling distinctly underwhelmed by the two Pale Brindled Beauties that were the only visitors. Seeking further mothy excitement I decided to have a closer look at the fern, having failed to do so in the preceding years. And straight away I could see feeding signs of one of the Psychoides moths whose caterpillars feed on fern spores.
In daylight it was possible to find a larva and gently uncover it for a photo, showing the pale brown head markings that should mean this is the Common Fern Moth, Psychoides filicivora (the other species, P. verhuella, has black head markings). Hopefully I'll be able to rear an adult moth for further confirmation.
It's amazing that the fern survives so well in this rather unpromising corner, and even more amazing that the moths are able to find and colonise this isolated plant.
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| 'Habitat' for the Hart's-tongue Fern |
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| Underside of leaf showing spores and feeding webs |
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| Close up of feeding web |
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| Larva inside web - note pale brown head |
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