What's eating my maidenhair spleenwort?

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) is a small, delicate fern usually grown indoors or in a terrarium. Scale insects are the primary threat. Aphids may attack soft new fronds. Its tiny fronds make early detection tricky — use a magnifier and inspect the undersides of pinnae regularly.

Tiny waxy bumps on the dark wiry stipe and along pinnae undersides; fronds yellow and wilt Carefully remove with a fine brush dipped in neem oil solution; treat weekly; the small frond size demands close inspection

Soft green or black insects on new fronds; sticky deposits and curled pinnae Rinse gently with water; apply insecticidal soap at low concentration to avoid frond damage; repeat as needed

Larvae in moist, peaty substrate damage shallow roots; adults visible at soil surface Reduce watering frequency; apply Bti drench; sticky yellow traps near the pot for adult monitoring