BPV-4 causes squamous cell carcinomas of the alimentary tract, and BPV-1/2 causes carcinomas and haemangioendotheliomas of the urinary bladder, in both cases in animals that have fed on bracken (Pteridium aquilinum).
This species of beetle feeds on the leaves of various plants, including: Dactylis glomerata, Pteridium aquilinum, hawthorn (Crataegus), blackthorn (Prunus), willow (Salix), birch (Betula) and oak (Quercus).
The larvae feed on various shrubs, deciduous trees and herbaceous plants, such as Calluna, Cytisus scoparius, Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus, Sea-buckthorn, willow and the European Larch.