What's eating my licorice basil?

Licorice Basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Licorice') shares common basil's main pest vulnerabilities. Aphids and thrips attack soft growing tips. Japanese beetles devour foliage in US gardens in midsummer. Slugs target seedlings outdoors. Basil downy mildew, while a disease not a pest, is the single biggest crop threat. Indoors, spider mites are the primary concern.

Soft clusters on shoot tips and under young leaves; plants become sticky; growth is distorted and may fail to produce bushy new leaves. Pinch off heavily infested tips; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; blast with water jet; avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen.

Skeletonised leaves with only veins remaining; adult beetles feed in groups in full sun during July–August across eastern and central US. Hand-pick into soapy water in early morning when beetles are sluggish; row cover during peak beetle season; avoid Japanese beetle traps near the planting.

Silver or bronze streaking on leaves; tiny black frass dots; flower buds may be damaged or distorted before they open. Remove affected shoot tips; apply spinosad or neem oil; blue sticky traps help monitor populations; keep plants well-watered to reduce stress.

Irregular holes in young basil leaves and seedlings; worst in cool, moist spring conditions or shaded beds with wet soil. Ferric phosphate pellets; copper tape around pots; night-time hand-picking; improve drainage and avoid overhead watering in the evening.