Pest identification
What's eating my woodwardia fimbriata?
Slugs & snails
Signs: Holes and ragged tearing in emerging croziers and young fronds, worse in cool, moist conditions
Control: Apply ferric phosphate pellets around the crown; hand-pick at night; remove hiding spots like boards or dense debris
Aphids
Signs: Soft new growth distorted; sticky honeydew on frond surfaces; sooty mold may follow
Control: Knock off colonies with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy
Caterpillars
Signs: Large sections of frond eaten from the margins; feeding typically by moth larvae overnight
Control: Hand-pick visible caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray as a targeted biological control
Keep woodwardia fimbriata pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Woodwardia fimbriata pests — FAQ
What is eating my woodwardia fimbriata?
Giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata) is a large outdoor Pacific coast native fern. Slugs and snails are the primary pest threat on young fronds. Aphids may colonize new growth in spring, and caterpillars occasionally feed on the large fronds. Established plants are generally robust; slug control at planting is the most critical intervention.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on woodwardia fimbriata?
Holes and ragged tearing in emerging croziers and young fronds, worse in cool, moist conditions Apply ferric phosphate pellets around the crown; hand-pick at night; remove hiding spots like boards or dense debris
How do I get rid of aphids on woodwardia fimbriata?
Soft new growth distorted; sticky honeydew on frond surfaces; sooty mold may follow Knock off colonies with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy
How do I get rid of caterpillars on woodwardia fimbriata?
Large sections of frond eaten from the margins; feeding typically by moth larvae overnight Hand-pick visible caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray as a targeted biological control