What's eating my tremula pteris fern?

Tremula Pteris Fern (Pteris tremula) grown indoors is most susceptible to spider mites, which thrive in the dry air that also harms this moisture-loving fern. Mealybugs and scale can colonize the stems and frond bases. Fungus gnats exploit consistently wet soil. Maintaining humidity above 50% and checking stems weekly gives you the best chance of early intervention.

Fine webbing on frond undersides; pale stippling on frond surfaces; rapid frond browning in dry rooms Raise humidity; wipe fronds with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days for 3 weeks

White fluffy residue at stem bases and frond axils; sticky honeydew; distorted or yellowing fronds Dab with isopropyl alcohol swab; apply insecticidal soap; isolate and treat weekly until resolved

Small brown bumps on stems and midribs; sooty mold on frond surfaces; overall decline in vigour Scrape off manually; treat with neem oil or alcohol; repeat every 7–10 days for a month

Root-chewing larvae in saturated soil; adult gnats visible around pot; plant wilts despite moist conditions Allow top inch of soil to dry; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench to eliminate larvae