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