Pest identification
What's eating my dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes and irregular feeding damage on young crinkled fronds; worse in cool, damp springs
Control: Scatter iron phosphate pellets around plants in early spring; hand-pick at night; use copper tape on raised beds or containers
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Notched frond margins from adults; root-eating grubs cause wilting and dieback of the crown
Control: Apply nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer or early autumn to moist soil; remove and destroy grubs when repotting
Rabbits
Signs: Fronds clipped close to the crown, particularly in early spring when foliage is young and palatable
Control: Surround plants with low wire mesh guards; protect whole beds with rabbit-proof perimeter fencing
Keep dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats dryopteris dilatata — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside' problems & fixes
- Dryopteris dilatata 'Crispa Whiteside' watering schedule
- Dryopteris dilatata 'Crispa Whiteside' light requirements
- Full dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside' care guide
Dryopteris dilatata 'Crispa Whiteside' pests — FAQ
What is eating my dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside'?
Dryopteris dilatata 'Crispa Whiteside' shares the pest profile of the species. Slugs and snails are the main concern, particularly for its distinctive crinkled fronds in spring. Vine weevil can attack roots in moist shaded conditions. Rabbits may browse unprotected plants; established clumps tolerate modest damage well.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside'?
Holes and irregular feeding damage on young crinkled fronds; worse in cool, damp springs Scatter iron phosphate pellets around plants in early spring; hand-pick at night; use copper tape on raised beds or containers
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside'?
Notched frond margins from adults; root-eating grubs cause wilting and dieback of the crown Apply nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer or early autumn to moist soil; remove and destroy grubs when repotting
How do I get rid of rabbits on dryopteris dilatata 'crispa whiteside'?
Fronds clipped close to the crown, particularly in early spring when foliage is young and palatable Surround plants with low wire mesh guards; protect whole beds with rabbit-proof perimeter fencing