â MinorðĐš
Pests
Thrips on Ferns
Commonly affects: Various ferns (Polypodiopsida)
Silvery streaks and small dark specks appear on fronds, with rasped, discoloured patches developing over time.
Potential Causes
- 1Thrips feeding on frond tissue, rasping the surface and leaving distinctive silvery scarring
- 2Warm conditions favouring population growth
- 3Introduction from a nearby infested plant
Solution Steps
- 1Use blue sticky traps to monitor and reduce adult thrips
- 2Apply insecticidal soap or a spinosad-based treatment for active infestations
- 3Remove severely damaged fronds
- 4Isolate affected plants from other houseplants until cleared
Prevention Tip
Silvery frond scarring from thrips is sometimes mistaken for a nutrient issue â check closely for the insects before assuming a feeding problem.
