Four lined plant bug

This little guy has done a ton of damage this year. Small, quick, and secretive, there are not many of these on a plant but there damage is very noticeable. The picture above is not very clear but shows three bugs on a buddleia leaf. It is unusual to see that many together on a leaf. They love new growth of a wide range of plants- basil, mints, forsythia, buddleia, caryopteris, and so on. The leaves are spotted by small(>1/8") brown  areas, usually many close together.1/3" long with a green body with brown stripes, this bug drops or flies off quickly when disturbed. If you are quick, hand pick the few on the plant or try a pyrethrum spray or other insecticide. The damage they do to the plant is unsightly but does not harm the plant in the long run.

Commercial Links

Local sources

Other Links

Shrubs

Problems

Herbs

Plants

Annuals

Perennials

Links

Amberg Perennial Farm, Inc.

Finding Us

Who we are

What We Grow

Drought Tips