What's eating my woodwardia unigemmata?

Woodwardia unigemmata (jewelled chain fern) is a vigorous garden fern with very few pest problems. Slugs and snails can damage the large soft fronds, especially new growth. Vine weevil poses a risk to container specimens. In warmer, sheltered positions the fern's size and robust growth outpaces minor pest damage quickly.

Large irregular holes chewed in expanding new fronds and soft young growth; damage is most severe in damp spring and autumn conditions Apply iron phosphate pellets around the crown; use Phasmarhabditis slug nematodes in moist conditions; remove debris where slugs shelter during the day

Notched frond margins from adult weevils feeding at night; root destruction by cream-colored larvae causes wilting and sudden collapse, especially in containers Apply Steinernema or Heterorhabditis nematodes to soil in late summer; inspect container root balls in autumn; use imidacloprid drench for severe infestations

Holes and ragged sections eaten into frond pinnae; uncommon but possible in summer on established plants in open garden positions Hand-pick caterpillars; encourage birds and ground beetles as natural predators; Bt spray if populations are unmanageable