What Are Black Insect Eggs on Wave Petunias?

Western Flower Thrips

• Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) attack petunias and many other flowering plants. The thrips eat the leaves and flowers and leave them deformed. The thrips often leave trails of feces that look like black insect eggs. Thrip larvae are yellow, while the adults have dark abdomens. Thrips often carry viruses, for which there is no treatment.

Corn Earworm

• Corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) larvae range in color from brown to pink to black with strips on the back and a yellow head. Eggs are light when laid and turn dark with time. Earworm infestations cause the plant to stop blooming in late summer. The insects feed on buds and damage the stems, leaves and petals. Earworms are resistant to pesticides due to excessive application to corn crops.

Tobacco Budworm

• The tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) eggs resemble those of the corn earworm. The tobacco budworm attacks plants in the same way as the corn earworm. Larvae are yellow and resemble the larvae of the corn earworm. The pupae are red to dark brown and the moths are brown with some green.