Pest or disease on basil? - Ask Extension
I send a photo of the basil plants which in the past few weeks have tiny black spots on the leaves at the top of the plant. The plants also have hole...
Knowledgebase
Pest or disease on basil? #336016
Asked June 24, 2016, 2:31 PM EDT
I send a photo of the basil plants which in the past few weeks have tiny black spots on the leaves at the top of the plant. The plants also have holes in the leaves. We have grown basil (Genovese) in this spot south of and under the lilac for 3 years. Thank you.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The basil plant has been damaged by four-lined plant bugs. However, most of these insects have completed their life cycle in the Twin Cities area and will not appear again until next year. New growth should not be affected and no control is needed at this time.
Learn more here:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/fourlined-plant-bugs/
Learn more here:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/fourlined-plant-bugs/
Thank you. I will be vigilant next year, but because we eat the basil raw, I dare not use pesticides. Thanks for the web site.
