Foam on Basil?

[backyardfarmer]

Last year during the heat of the summer when I would go to harvest some of my basil I noticed a strange foamy mucus-like stuff on the bottom of some of the leaves. It was sticky and translucent. Was it some kind of eggs or was it something actually coming from my plant? And, was it something harmful to the plant or to me? It seemed worst on hot humid days - and it can get quite hot and humid down here in Texas!

[Gnome]

backyardfarmer,

It sounds like you are referring to Spittle Bugs.
[url]https://bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au/Entomology/internalAnatomy/imagePages/spittleBug.html[/url]

Norm

[opabinia51]

I concur, if you notice any herbivory try spraying your plants with a solution of soap and water. But, I haven't really found this to be a problem. You can just wash it off.

[backyardfarmer]

That's it! It's so gross but at least I know what it is now!