Looks like some kind of leaf miner, but I've never seen it before. What is it, and is there an "organic" way to treat it?
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1looks more like a virus/fungus/bacteria. Is there anyone living on the underside of the leaf? – kevinskio Jan 15 '15 at 20:15
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The underside is shown in the middle photo. The only thing i noticed were tje small black spots near the edge. I didnt have my hand loupe so couldnt see any better. – That Idiot Jan 15 '15 at 20:18
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1Could be thrips which are common in some areas of the US. They leave black frass on the leaves and the adults are the size of exclamation marks. They will move when jostled. Can you check if anything moves on the leaf? – kevinskio Jan 15 '15 at 21:24
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I should have mentioned that it is 23F in this picture. No buggies moving. – That Idiot Jan 15 '15 at 21:26
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Do the black spots come off? – kevinskio Jan 16 '15 at 12:04
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@kevinsky The black spots on the bottom were superficial and could be brushed off. I'm not sure if the spots visible from the top of the leaf are the same thing. – That Idiot Jan 16 '15 at 12:27
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Without a close-up photo my guess is Thrips. Easy to manage, sucking insects. Here is a good article on control. Get a hand lens to make absolutely sure this is your target insect before applying any pesticide. I'd thin out some of the foliage before treating.
That Idiot
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While looking around unsuccessfully for references to thrips on bamboo, I came across what appears to be a likely suspect - bamboo mites. The mottling on the leaves is consistent with what is pictured, as are the small black spots on the underside of the leaves. The final tell are the small, low profile, tents as shown in the photo below.
Oregon State University has a good guide for controlling bamboo mites. Additionally, this source covers potential biological controls.
That Idiot
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