I built a large planter box for my garden this year strictly for herbs. I planted lavender, sage, basil, lemon thyme, and curly leaf parsley. I've noticed the bugs are most attracted to the basil.
I was interested in identifying one bug out of many. He started a few weeks ago at about 1/4" long and is now 1/2" long. I haven't been able to tell that he damaging the plant in any way. He has rear legs like a grasshopper and long black and white stripped antenna. He normally isn't shy and simply sits on top of the basil leaf while I am messing around in the herb box. I thought today I should photograph him and find out what he is. After I got my camera and set up to take his portrait, he disappeared.
Since he decided to become camera shy, I decided to photograph some of the other bugs which find my basil plant to be very attractive. If you can identify them, please do so. Click the photos and they will enlarge.
Bug #1
[img]https://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll308/tedln/Bugs/IMG_2193.jpg[/img]
Bug #2
[img]https://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll308/tedln/Bugs/IMG_2196.jpg[/img]
Bug #2 with eggs in the lower right corner
[img]https://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll308/tedln/Bugs/IMG_2197.jpg[/img]
Bug #3
[img]https://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll308/tedln/Bugs/IMG_2200.jpg[/img]
Bug #3 another view
[img]https://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll308/tedln/Bugs/IMG_2201.jpg[/img]
I will check again in a few hours and if my normally not shy bug is back, I will post his portrait. There were also a couple of other beetle type flying bugs that simply wouldn't sit still long enough to get their photos taken. I will keep trying.
Thanks
Ted