Pest identification
What's eating my dryopteris affinis 'cristata'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes and scalloped edges on young fronds; silvery slime trails on foliage and soil.
Control: Apply ferric phosphate pellets (pet-safe) around the crown at dusk; use copper tape barriers in pots. Hand-pick at night.
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Adults notch frond edges; C-shaped white larvae destroy roots causing sudden collapse.
Control: Apply Steinernema kraussei or S. carpocapsae nematodes to moist soil in autumn; use vine weevil killer granules in containers.
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on fronds; colonies of soft insects on emerging croziers.
Control: Blast off with a strong water jet; spray with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings.
Keep dryopteris affinis 'cristata' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats scaly male fern — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common dryopteris affinis 'cristata' problems & fixes
- Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata' watering schedule
- Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata' light requirements
- Full dryopteris affinis 'cristata' care guide
Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata' pests — FAQ
What is eating my dryopteris affinis 'cristata'?
Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata' (crested golden-scaled male fern) is a garden fern troubled mainly by slugs and snails that shred emerging fronds, and by vine weevil larvae eating the roots. Aphids occasionally cluster on new growth. Deer and rabbits are secondary threats in rural gardens but rarely top the list.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on dryopteris affinis 'cristata'?
Ragged holes and scalloped edges on young fronds; silvery slime trails on foliage and soil. Apply ferric phosphate pellets (pet-safe) around the crown at dusk; use copper tape barriers in pots. Hand-pick at night.
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on dryopteris affinis 'cristata'?
Adults notch frond edges; C-shaped white larvae destroy roots causing sudden collapse. Apply Steinernema kraussei or S. carpocapsae nematodes to moist soil in autumn; use vine weevil killer granules in containers.
How do I get rid of aphids on dryopteris affinis 'cristata'?
Sticky honeydew on fronds; colonies of soft insects on emerging croziers. Blast off with a strong water jet; spray with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings.