Petunia Has Black Specks And Dry Budheads

Question From: a. TERRILL - FLORIDA
Q: Hi Nancy - I have a beautiful petunia which has developed black specks which look more like droppings then bugs. There are also dry budheads which are full of these specks. The dry budheads turn brownish and open. I assume that the specks come out of them somehow and get all over the leaves. I had this problem last year and it killed the plant eventually. I have kept this plant healthy by continually picking the budheads. Their easy to find as that is where the most specks can be found. I literally pick 20 or more a day off the plant. Thank you for any help. Ann

A:

I think you may have petunia bud worms and the black specs are it's poop. Spraying the plants with a product called BT should take care of the problem. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.