What's eating my bird's nest fern 'osaka'?

Bird's Nest Fern 'Osaka' is mainly threatened by scale insects and mealybugs indoors. Spider mites can strike in dry air, and fungus gnats breed in consistently damp compost. Keep humidity up, avoid wetting the central rosette, and inspect new fronds regularly to catch infestations early.

Brown or tan waxy bumps on frond midribs and stems; sticky honeydew and sooty mould on leaf surfaces Scrape off scales with a soft toothbrush; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3–4 weeks; avoid systemic insecticides on ferns (phytotoxic risk)

White cottony clusters in the frond crown and along the central rosette; fronds yellow and growth slows Dab individual clusters with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with dilute neem oil spray; repeat every 7–10 days

Fine stippling and silvery speckling on frond surfaces; fine webbing in low-humidity conditions Raise humidity above 50%; mist fronds or use a pebble tray; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, coating undersides thoroughly

Larvae damage fine roots in waterlogged compost; adults are a nuisance at soil surface Allow the top inch of compost to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for larvae