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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Annuals and Perennials > Marigold > Holes in flowers

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Marigold > Flowers > Holes in flowers

1 of 2
  • Tobacco budworm damage 1
  • Tobacco budworm 2
  • Tobacco budworm 3

Tobacco Budworm
Heliothis virescens

  • Occurs late summer/early fall
  • Irregular or round holes appear in flower buds
  • Small black specks of excrement may be visible on damaged flower buds
  • Caterpillar color is variable; they are most commonly brown, but can also be red, purple, or green. Has white stripes running lengthwise along the abdomen with numerous erect hairs. Can reach up to 1 ¾ inches in length
  • More information on tobacco budworms
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  • Japanese beetle 1
  • Japanese beetle 2
  • Japanese beetle damage 3

Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica

  • Adults present late June/early July to August
  • Skeletonize leaves, i.e. chews tissue between veins, leaving foliage lace-like
  • Chews holes in blossoms
  • Adults are a brilliant metallic green with copper-brown wing covers, approximately 3/8 inches in length, five white patches of hairs on each side of the abdomen, and two patches of white hair on the tip of abdomen
  • More information on Japanese Beetles

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