What's eating my lemon bee balm?

Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda citriodora) faces four-lined plant bugs, aphids, and spider mites as its main insect threats. As an annual it escapes the perennial crown rot and mildew buildup of its cousins, but the bugs still disfigure leaves. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid it due to the strong lemony fragrance.

Sunken circular spots on leaves where bugs inject toxic saliva; foliage looks disease-spotted even without fungal infection Handpick nymphs and adults in the morning when slower. Use insecticidal soap targeted at nymphs in May–June. Remove old stems promptly to reduce egg-laying sites.

Soft colonies on tender shoot tips and bract clusters; honeydew and sooty mould coating leaves Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. A hard jet of water dislodges colonies. Avoid overhead watering that disperses aphids to new sites.

Pale stippling across leaves; fine webbing on undersides; worst in hot, dry summers or under glass Mist foliage and increase humidity. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, covering leaf undersides. Avoid water stress, which predisposes plants to mite attack.