Also, check out Sawflies. The maggots or larvae are the creatures responsible for eating away all the soft parts in tree leaves. Leaving a delicate leaf skeleton behind. I think they are really a type of wasp but they might be an actual fly which is a completely different group of insects.

Sprays of commercial insecticidal soap would probably stun them enough so that you could grab them and toss them into a container of soapy water.

I already started some new seeds after washing everything in bleach solution. Had to toss out almost all of the opalka, eva purple ball and san marzano to prevent further spread of the problem but thankfully there still is time. I also sprayed the other seedlings with safer soap last night and so far they look good. I believe I got the aphids from miracle grow soil mix. I always clean everything thoroughly before starting new seeds so I know it isn't anything from inside the house. Definitely won't go for that mix again. So Dave you think it is the aphids? That is actually much better than what I expected. I was totally thinking that it was some kind of bacterial/fungal problem and I will be doomed this year.

Does it look like a gold ladybug? I can't really tell from the picture. Does it look like this? http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/jauwaert/Beetle_0007.jpg ha ha just a joke. does your perp look like this? you have to scroll down to find the gold beetle. According to the website, its called Metriona bicolor (Chrysomelidae). I bought a potato vine just because I saw one of these on it. I was amazed how pretty it was. It look just like a living gold beetle like Joan Rivers sells on her show. -- Only its tiny and alive! The girl at the store told me I could spray the vine to get rid of them but in fact I wanted to attract them so thats why I bought the vine. Haven't seen any though. I certainly would not want as many as you got.