What animals eat fern fronds?

While ferns are generally less susceptible to herbivory than many other plants—likely due to the presence of chemical compounds that may act as deterrents—they are not entirely immune to consumption.1

Animals known to feed on fern fronds include:

• Mollusks: Snails and slugs are common attackers of young, uncurling fern fronds.1
• Insects: Various beetles have been observed grazing upon ferns. Additionally, while the majority of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) feed on flowering plants or conifers, a few groups are adapted to eat ferns.12

It is important to note that partially eaten or insect-damaged fronds are not commonly observed in most fern species, suggesting that many ferns possess effective natural defenses, such as chemical compounds similar to insect molting hormones, which help protect them from significant damage.1