What's eating my lemmaphyllum microphyllum?

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum is a miniature creeping fern grown as a houseplant or terrarium subject. Its small size makes scale insects and mealybugs disproportionately damaging. Spider mites can colonize quickly in dry conditions. Fungus gnats breed in constantly moist terrarium substrate. Early detection is critical because infestations on tiny fronds escalate rapidly.

Tiny waxy bumps on fronds and rhizomes; yellowing and dieback of small frond segments Remove with a fine brush or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; treat with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly

White cottony clusters at rhizome joints and leaf bases; sticky honeydew residue Dab with alcohol-soaked swab; apply insecticidal soap spray; isolate from other plants immediately

Larvae damage fine feeder roots; adults are a nuisance; poor growth if root system is compromised Reduce substrate moisture; use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) soil drench; place yellow sticky traps