I found a ton of critters that just didn't look like they are beneficial. ==>>> what does a beneficial look like???? just kidding. ... ones or twos of anything are never a problem... if you moved the straw ... and found a thousand of something.. in a very small area .... then that might trigger some interest on my part ... were i helping you ... try to relax.. when playing in the yard ... they were under straw .. that was you first clue.. they dont eat green material .... eh??? ken

Ahhh... that is what an aphid looks like... I have already read up on them, but I was not sure what I was looking for... No lady beetles, yet, but I am pretty sure that I spotted a hoverfly the other day.. I also know that we have a lot of spiders cruising around the gardens and the house overall... I am counting on them to help with various pests...

Well, in my view the antennae aren't quite right, rhizo, as I don't see the length or palp-type structures on the end in those fotos, which is why I was vague upthread. Legs and antennae are confounding to the coloring. Clearly a Hemipteran and usually bad to ornamentals so action is likely warranted. If you have to have it down to species, take it in to the Co Extension. Otherwise action. We get these types on our local listserv and very few IDs go by unanswered. Dan

well...we found out the host plant for that leaf hopper was the 7 pots of black bamboo.....it has been cut out, tossed and replaced with plumeria...oh boy, more room! No more of them since we removed it....roxanne