What's eating my norfolk island spleenwort?

Norfolk Island Spleenwort (Asplenium dimorphum) is an indoor fern most vulnerable to scale insects and mealybugs hiding along its fronds. Spider mites can colonise in dry conditions. Fungus gnats breed in overwatered compost. Maintain moderate humidity and inspect the undersides of fronds regularly to catch infestations early.

Small brown or cream waxy bumps on frond midribs and stems; fronds yellow and growth stalls Scrape off manually with a soft brush; wipe affected areas with a cloth moistened with diluted neem oil or horticultural oil

White cottony deposits in frond joints and at the crown; sticky residue; weakened fronds Isolate the plant; remove clusters with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol; apply insecticidal soap spray weekly until clear

Fine webbing under fronds; tiny moving specks; fronds develop pale stippling and dry out Raise humidity; shower the plant to dislodge mites; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap, repeating every 5–7 days for three rounds

Larvae damage fine roots in soggy compost; adults fly around soil surface Allow the top centimetre of compost to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps; apply Bti drench if larvae persist