Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look for tiny flies near the pore surface.
- Check for small holes or debris on the bracket.
Likely causes
Fungus gnats
Most likelyHow to tell: Tiny flies hovering around the underside of the bracket.
What to do: Accept their presence. They are part of the natural cycle of the fungus.
Beetles
PossibleHow to tell: Small holes or dust piles appearing on the surface of the bracket.
What to do: Do not interfere. These insects are often helping to break down the material.
Find out what's wrong with your artist's bracket
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
When to worry
Never worry about pests on a wild fungus. They are part of the natural ecosystem.
Stopping it coming back
You cannot prevent insects from finding a wild fungus. It is their natural habitat.
Keep your artist's bracket healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will the bugs kill the fungus?
- Usually no. The fungus and the insects have evolved to coexist in the wild.
- Should I use a pesticide?
- No. Pesticides will harm the natural balance of the environment and are not necessary for a wild fungus.
More problems with Artist's bracket
Back to the Artist's bracket guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.