What's eating my australian tree fern?

Australian Tree Fern in an indoor or conservatory setting attracts scale insects and mealybugs, which hide in the trunk fibers and frond bases. Spider mites can colonize fronds in dry heated rooms. Fungus gnats are a risk if the growing medium stays constantly wet. Inspect the trunk as thoroughly as the fronds.

Small hard or waxy bumps on stems and frond undersides; honeydew accumulates; fronds yellow and drop early Brush off with soapy water; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray to fronds and trunk; treat every two weeks

White fluffy masses at crown and frond bases hiding in the fibrous trunk Dab concentrated isopropyl alcohol into crevices; follow with insecticidal soap spray; isolate plant during treatment

Pale, stippled, dry-looking fronds; fine webbing on undersides, especially in low humidity Increase ambient humidity; shower fronds; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until clear

Adult gnats around soil; larvae feed on surface roots and organic matter in the moist growing medium Let the substrate surface dry slightly between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench to the root zone