Pest identification
What's eating my athyrium otophorum?
Slugs & snails
Signs: Ragged holes through frond pinnae, shredded croziers on emerging growth, worse in wet seasons
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets around crowns; beer traps; night patrols with hand removal
Aphids
Signs: Clustered on young growth causing distortion; honeydew promotes sooty mold
Control: Forceful water spray to dislodge colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation persists
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Scalloped notches on frond edges; larvae feed on roots causing wilting and plant death
Control: Nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer; physical inspection when repotting
Keep athyrium otophorum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Athyrium otophorum pests — FAQ
What is eating my athyrium otophorum?
Athyrium otophorum (eared lady fern) is an outdoor garden fern whose soft fronds attract slugs above all else. Aphids may colonize tender new growth in spring. Vine weevil larvae can devastate container-grown plants. Like other lady ferns, deer will occasionally browse it when preferred food is unavailable.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on athyrium otophorum?
Ragged holes through frond pinnae, shredded croziers on emerging growth, worse in wet seasons Ferric phosphate pellets around crowns; beer traps; night patrols with hand removal
How do I get rid of aphids on athyrium otophorum?
Clustered on young growth causing distortion; honeydew promotes sooty mold Forceful water spray to dislodge colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation persists
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on athyrium otophorum?
Scalloped notches on frond edges; larvae feed on roots causing wilting and plant death Nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer; physical inspection when repotting