Everything I read says they're associated with decaying flesh ... why then would it seem they're eating algae (& other plant material)? There's nothing dead in or around my pond. Why would they even be in my pond? They sure do look like the pictures of blowfly hairy maggots. Just thinking out loud, thanks for all the help.

Well, I was taking a stab in the dark, so to speak. But google can help. Here is a link that might be useful: Sphinx moth caterpillar images

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie gardener so I have never had the opportunity to experience what you're talking about, BUT!, read this in the Feb/March issue of "Organic Gardening" magazine's letters to the editor. "Squash Those Bad Bugs"....I read the article on organic squash-bug control in the June/July issue (Ask OG). Years ago, I had just about given up on raising squash, as I could not defeat the bugs using Sevin dust. Then I read an article - possibly in Organic Gardening - that recommended grinding up onions and garlic in a blender, adding water, and spraying the squash requently with the mixture. The theory was that the smell kept the bugs away. This seemed like a lot of work. So, the next spring, I saved some onion bulbs and planted two with each hill of squash and cantaloupe. As an extra precaution, I took a handful of onion tops, cut them into short pieces and dropped them on and around the plants. I have not had any squash-bug damage for 15 years. I have passed this idea on to several friends and they have all had similar results. A reader from Abilene, TX" I hope that helps! I will be interested to hear a follow-up if anyone tries this because hopefully next year my squash won't freeze and die and I'll try this method to keep bugs away.

That's one of the many leaf-roller caterpillars. Messy, aren't they? And yes, the dark pellets are frass (insect poop). The adults will be a rather plain moth...and that's when the egg laying comes in. Those teeny babies nicely pictured in that one image hatched from eggs laid on that leaf. If you learn to look for the small eggs and remove them, you'll not have the caterpillars. Bt can be used to control this caterpillar pest, though it is not particularly effective when they are at the large stage. It's most helpful on the little guys. Bt is relatively safe to use (some people have allergic reaction), and is easily washed off. These (and other) caterpillars have a very wide array of natural predators and parasites to help you keep them under control. Rather than cutting away branches and tons of leaves, just remove the caterpillars. They don't sting or bite. And do an egg search. Attached is a fact sheet about the specific leaf-roller I believe yours to be. Florida is one of the many states in which it is found. The squiggly lines pictured in a couple of your images are from leaf miners, very commonly found in tomatoes. Simply remove affected leaves....or just ignore them. They rarely do enough damage to cause problems for the crop. Here is a link that might be useful: Click here