Pest identification
What's eating my microsorum punctatum?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on fronds; pale yellow stippling on frond surface; leaves dry and drop in severe infestations
Control: Increase humidity; mist foliage regularly; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate affected plants
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan waxy bumps on stipes and midribs; sticky honeydew; sooty mould
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: White cotton-wool deposits in frond axils and along stipes; stunted, yellowing fronds
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil; isolate plant immediately
Keep microsorum punctatum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Microsorum punctatum pests — FAQ
What is eating my microsorum punctatum?
Microsorum punctatum (climbing bird's nest fern) is a tropical houseplant. Spider mites cause stippled, yellowing fronds in dry indoor air, while scale insects encrust the stipes with waxy bumps. Mealybugs colonise frond bases and moist growing points. Keep humidity high to deter mites, which are the most common and damaging indoor pest.
How do I get rid of spider mites on microsorum punctatum?
Fine webbing on fronds; pale yellow stippling on frond surface; leaves dry and drop in severe infestations Increase humidity; mist foliage regularly; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate affected plants
How do I get rid of scale insects on microsorum punctatum?
Brown or tan waxy bumps on stipes and midribs; sticky honeydew; sooty mould Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on microsorum punctatum?
White cotton-wool deposits in frond axils and along stipes; stunted, yellowing fronds Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil; isolate plant immediately