Bugs hide under the top of leaves and often aren't visible at first glance.
The eggs, larvae or adults of some sucking insects that feed on basil, such as mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies and thrips, might be white. But before you grab the insecticide, check for signs of beneficial insects that will take care of the problem for you. Does this Spark an idea?
Culprits
Aphid young sometimes look like tiny white pieces of lint, but they are normally accompanied by the green, red or brown adults. Most stages of mealybugs are white, fluffy and waxy. They congregate around basil nodes. Whiteflies look just as the name implies but are much smaller than houseflies. They rise in a cloud when the basil plant is disturbed. Thrips are white, sucking insects that will pull basil leaves around them like a sleeping bag.
Beneficial Insects
The eggs of some beneficial predatory insects are also white and would likely be found near a colony of aphids, mealybugs or other sucking insect. Some species of ladybug larvae have a white waxy covering that resembles a mealybug.
Treatments
The soft-bodied insects commonly found on basil are easily controlled by dousing the plant under and over the leaves with insecticidal soap. Examine the plant for signs of predatory insects that will control the problem for you, such as ladybugs, lacewing bugs, praying mantis or pirate bugs, before applying any insecticide -- including insecticidal soap.
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