Hey Holly, What did you read in your newsletter about basil? I'm curious. The black and yellow catterpillars on the dill will become butterflies. Like Maureen, I always plant extra dill and parsley which they love; before long they will be spinning cocoons. Not long ago, I read that you should plant basil near eggplant, but it didn't say why. Maybe it's a deterrent for those cussed flea beetles. Anyway, I planted a couple of basil near my eggplant, but it's too soon to tell.

Bt is an friendly bacteria culture that when sprayed o leaves of all plants will make the insects, in this case, worms/caterpillers, die for starvation in just a couple of days. About the only caterpiller that feeds on toxic tomato leaves are the green hornworms. It may be yours are very yound and not fully grown yet. They can get to 3 inches long and as big around as an index finger. Bt is not harmful to people.B sure to get the right type (strain). The plants need only a couple of applications to get rid of most of the buggers. Flicking them off isn't very effective as they can easily return. Picking them off is time consuming and is definately something you would do only when you see them (at night). Just looking for a well disguised green worm is a task. Last year, my fruit tees were attached by leaf eaters. Most were caterpillers dropping down from an over hanging oak tree, but I still can't figure out how my peach/plum got attacked as it was well away from any trees. I need to spray Bt on my fruit trees very soon as they are just starting to leaf out

It looks like it could be slug or snail damage. Check under the container and in any nooks and crannies around the sides. If you don't find them come out after dark and look. Also check for silvery trails on the leaves.

I'll just call it a nasty basil-eating caterpillar! Another name would be 'bird food '. Don't know the species, lol. Yes, you can certainly use the basil for yourself.