Good advice above. You can also narrow down possibilities by crop - "common bean pests", "common squash pests", etc. and use the images tab. With some time and research you can quickly learn about the bad guys. Normally it is the damage we note first rather than the actual bug so also noting the type of damage done - tiny holes, big holes, chewed edges, wilting, shape of leaves (rolled up, turned under, etc) will help narrow it down. How much damage indicates if it is just a few pests that can be hand picked or many that need pesticide intervention. And since many pests are regional, don't forget all the resources from your local county extension office. They are good at narrowing down pests specific to your area. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Insect IDs (note all categories listed on left)

If you could post a picture, someone might be able to help you! Short text descriptions of insects rarely provide enough information to even know where to look! Also, what gardening zone are you in? (Add in personal profile information.) It might be relevant to the insects in your area.

These do eat plants when their numbers are high. They do. There should be no debating this. If anyone doesn't believe it, they haven't had an infestation of pill bugs and don't really have the experience to help someone regarding. I cannot grow legume or peas without killing these bugs in the area or they will take down every one of the healthy seedlings. I drench the soil in the area with liquid spinosad. Once the plant is established, it's good. I gotta eat, too. I read somewhere that pill bugs remove metals and is likely to remove some toxins in the soil. I'm still trying to figure why I have so many and what purpose they are serving beyond the normal "eat decaying matter".

Thanks Felix and Anna. :-) I had no idea about the electricity issue and red ants - I'll keep an eye out for them. I don't have them in the yard at this point. I've been bitten by them before and they hurt like a beastie. I did see a few mounds this spring but with your explanation Anna I think they were regular non-harmful ants. They are gone now and haven't returned. I'll keep an eye out and watch my ants from now on. Also looks like I've got a bit of research ahead of me. Never thought I'd have to learn about ants. :-p Anna, do you find that the white moth like insects cause any harm? I kind of like how they swirl about when I walk but I don't want to encourage a bad bug or an invasive bug. In Portland I used absolutely no pesticides. I controlled the bug population with plants and natural means. I'm not too keen on chemicals because of how they tend to leech into the water tables and affect things beyond the intended target. For example, I used allium and marigolds to control aphids and ants. I encouraged butterflies by planting liatris. For honey bees, lots of various flowers that they could feed and be happy fat bees. I want to repeat that here if possible. I'm not a big chemical fan. The only time I ever used chemicals in Portland was to kill a hornets nest.