nope! But keep it away from MY plants! :o) hmmmm.... you might try the insect forum, or the pests and diseases, if no one knows in here... but they probably do....

You are describing Earwigs. Roll up some newspaper, get it damp - not wet, put it out in the garden. The earwigs will go into it in the morning; pick it up and toss it and the earwigs in the trash --- or drop it in a bucket of ammonia water. Do this on a regular basis to control your earwig population.

Nonono, not an earwig. Not even remotely so. In shape and size, it's very much like a planthopper. But again, doesn't have wings, and doesn't jump. And a stubby, flexible tail. The spikes run along the ridge of its back.

Man you have me curious now. I don't know what it is, the way you describe it I think of a stink bug (or a harliquin bug)--they do hurt basil. I think you would recognize a stink bug, but if not and it is this, don't smash it, they hold true to their names, flushem down the toilet.

Can you create a barrier, maybe like a cut up toilet paper roll around the base of the basil to keep it out? Just a thought.

The bug forum is great I think there's a couple entomologists there. Bet they could say in a second. Be sure to include the bugs coloring.

You might also look up the stages of lady bugs, the pupa and larva look pretty weird, they are still lady bugs but look way different, but then it wouldn't be hurting your plant.

Let us know the resolution, I wanna learn from this so I can act fast for me own basil :)
This is a nice link to a bunch of plant eating bugs:
http://www.entoplp.okstate.edu/ddd/vegetable.htm

Thanks. I kept the specimen, and I'll snap a photo, but it could take a week to get it scanned.

I'll definitely give the toilet paper rolls a try. :)

I made a very crude drawing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bugger!

Teryaki

Is this your bug (I have no idea why your bug has been on the back of my mind)? Weird bug I was reading the tomato pests forum and saw this, it looks so much like your picture, I wish I could see it from the front. Noone has posted yet on what it is but maybe you could post on the pest forum (IPM) or is there a name that bug? with the picture.

VERY close to that!!!

Sounds like a black stink bug...I've got them all over my basil