Seems like some version of it. Very copper-colored - on their back end, two white dots. They seem to like the Sweet Basil.
Yup, I actually did a search and they do like basil...My wild grape vines and roses seem to be enough bait to stop them.
I had beetle traps, but thought they might have been attracting the neighbors bugs too LOL...
I think you could do 4 things:
1. You may want to get a Japanese Beetle trap to lure the bugs away from your basil. Again, may get who neighborhood’s beetle population, but if it takes care of yours, maybe good idea.
2. Look around and see if there are some organic hot pepper sprays that you can spray on edibles...not sure you would want to eat basil after using some of the mixtures I have seen on You Tube...Maybe call a good garden center and ask an expert...
3. After removing any beetles, cover with some white netting...sun and water get thru but no beetles :)
4. Apply grub control to your lawn in early-mid spring to prevent the grubs from emerging from soil as dreaded beetles. Not sure where you live, but here in IL, the rule of thumb is to apply “when the Forsythia start to bloom.”