Pest identification
What's eating my crispy wave fern?
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny black flies hovering around soil; larvae damage fine roots in waterlogged compost, causing wilting
Control: Allow the top inch of compost to dry between waterings; apply sticky yellow traps and use a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan limpet-like bumps on frond midribs and the central crown; yellowing and dull fronds
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush or cotton swab, wipe with isopropyl alcohol, and apply horticultural oil spray to all frond surfaces
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly deposits at the crown base and along the midrib of young fronds; sticky honeydew
Control: Remove with an alcohol-soaked cotton bud and treat with neem oil spray, paying close attention to the crown and frond bases
Keep crispy wave fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats japanese bird's nest fern — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats crispy wave fern — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common crispy wave fern problems & fixes
- Crispy Wave Fern watering schedule
- Crispy Wave Fern light requirements
- Full crispy wave fern care guide
Crispy Wave Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my crispy wave fern?
Crispy Wave Fern (Asplenium antiquum 'Osaka') is a tough houseplant but attracts fungus gnats when its growing medium stays too wet. Scale insects and mealybugs occasionally colonise the rippled fronds and stem base. Aphids may appear on new growth. Avoiding waterlogging eliminates fungus gnats and keeps the plant resistant to most other pests.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on crispy wave fern?
Tiny black flies hovering around soil; larvae damage fine roots in waterlogged compost, causing wilting Allow the top inch of compost to dry between waterings; apply sticky yellow traps and use a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae
How do I get rid of scale insects on crispy wave fern?
Brown or tan limpet-like bumps on frond midribs and the central crown; yellowing and dull fronds Scrape off with a soft brush or cotton swab, wipe with isopropyl alcohol, and apply horticultural oil spray to all frond surfaces
How do I get rid of mealybugs on crispy wave fern?
White woolly deposits at the crown base and along the midrib of young fronds; sticky honeydew Remove with an alcohol-soaked cotton bud and treat with neem oil spray, paying close attention to the crown and frond bases