A very young of one of the leaf footed family. Some of them are bad guys, some are good guys - lots of family members. He is too young yet to ID which he is with just that pic to go by.

Dave

pretty tough with a fuzzy picture. I could take a wild guess and say it looks like a homopteran of some type. Is this insect on an envelope?

Did I say homopteran, I meant hemipteran.

yes Kevinitis, it's on an envelope. Had to take the pic through a magnifying glass and couldn't get it sharp. It's maybe 1/16" including the legs. It seemed about the size of the aphids on the plant. Do you think insecticidal soap should be used? Thanks for your help.

Do you think insecticidal soap should be used?

For this guy? One bug? One that may in fact be a beneficial and eating the aphids? No.

For the aphids, if it is a major infestation, sure as long as you follow the insecticidal soap application directions. Otherwise just hose them off with water or squish them with your fingers.

Dave

Thanks Dave, but they are all over 3 plants. All along the stalk from top to bottom and on the leaves. I really appreciate you responding as you are my neighbor to the south and figure you have some of the same issues. Thanks again.

The aphids right? Then its up to you of course but I'd just hose them off the 3 plants with a stream of water. Real issue is why so many aphids this early? Using lots of fertilizer? Extra nitrogen attracts them like bees to honey.

If you do use the insect soap do it in the evening or early morning rather than in the sun and try not to coat the leaves too much. If it is laid on too thick it can do more harm to the plants than the aphids.

Good luck.

Dave

Thanks Dave. Will do it this evening. I planted these too early and wandered if the plants may be weak even though they look very healthy. I haven't added much fertilizer. Did side dress lightly when they started blooming but that's all. No, that's a lie, I did water with some MG 15-30-15 last weekend as well. I need to leave them alone and let them grow without overthinking it. Thanks again Dave.

I need to leave them alone and let them grow without overthinking it.

Good advice for all of us.

Spraying off aphids with a water hose gets them off the plants temporarily, but it does not kill them. They usually just climb back up. I have controlled aphids finger squashing, but when there is a lot like you are saying, that is tough to get them all. If it were me I would probably consider an insecticide. If you wanted to go organic, I knew a guy who would buy chewing tobacco, soak it in water, add a little Ivory soap and then spray the water on the plants/insects.