Pest identification
What's eating my pyrrosia piloselloides?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft lumps on fronds and creeping rhizomes; yellowing fronds and sticky honeydew
Control: Remove manually with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol; treat with neem oil; repeat every 10 days
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy wax clusters along rhizomes and at frond bases; weakened, yellowing growth
Control: Isolate plant; dab infested areas with rubbing alcohol; apply insecticidal soap spray to all surfaces
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Silvery stippling on frond surfaces; fine webbing in severe infestations, especially in dry air
Control: Mist fronds to raise humidity; apply neem oil or miticide spray; ensure good air circulation
Keep pyrrosia piloselloides pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pyrrosia piloselloides pests — FAQ
What is eating my pyrrosia piloselloides?
Pyrrosia piloselloides, the ribbon or running club moss fern, is typically grown as a houseplant or mounted specimen. Scale insects are the primary pest on its fleshy fronds. Mealybugs colonize the creeping rhizomes and leaf bases. Spider mites appear when humidity is low. Regular inspection of rhizomes is essential as pests hide in the runners.
How do I get rid of scale insects on pyrrosia piloselloides?
Hard or soft lumps on fronds and creeping rhizomes; yellowing fronds and sticky honeydew Remove manually with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol; treat with neem oil; repeat every 10 days
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pyrrosia piloselloides?
White fluffy wax clusters along rhizomes and at frond bases; weakened, yellowing growth Isolate plant; dab infested areas with rubbing alcohol; apply insecticidal soap spray to all surfaces
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on pyrrosia piloselloides?
Silvery stippling on frond surfaces; fine webbing in severe infestations, especially in dry air Mist fronds to raise humidity; apply neem oil or miticide spray; ensure good air circulation