What's eating my elephant ear staghorn fern?

Elephant Ear Staghorn Fern (Platycerium elephantotis) is most threatened by scale insects and mealybugs, which hide under the fronds and basal plates. Spider mites and thrips can also attack, especially in dry indoor air. Inspect shield fronds regularly — pests often establish there before spreading.

Brown, shell-like bumps on fronds and rhizome; yellowing and wilting as sap is drained Dab with a cotton swab soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat with neem oil spray; repeat every 7–10 days

White cottony clusters at frond bases and shield fronds; sticky honeydew and sooty mold Remove manually with alcohol-soaked swab; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate the plant

Fine webbing on frond undersides; stippled, bronzed fronds in dry air Raise humidity, mist fronds, and spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil weekly until clear

Silver-streaked or distorted fronds; tiny black frass specks on leaf surfaces Wipe fronds with damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or spinosad-based spray; sticky yellow traps help monitor