What's eating my common maidenhair fern?

Common Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum) is widely grown indoors and outdoors in mild climates. Spider mites are the chief indoor pest, thriving when humidity drops. Mealybugs cluster at crown and petiole joints. Scale appears on wiry stems. Outdoors, slugs and snails shred the delicate pinnae overnight. Consistent humidity and vigilance are key.

Tiny pale specks and fine webbing on pinnae; fronds yellow and collapse in dry air Maintain high humidity; shower the plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for three rounds

White woolly clusters at petiole bases and crown; sticky honeydew; distorted new fronds Remove with isopropyl alcohol swab; spray with insecticidal soap; quarantine the plant

Ragged holes and shredded pinnae on fronds at or near ground level; slime trails on the compost surface Hand-pick at night; apply organic iron phosphate pellets around the pot or bed; use copper tape around containers