What kind of bugs are these?

[keylimin]

On my new tomato plants, mostly in clusters around the blooms and colonies under the leaves? Dangerous? What gets rid of them?

[clkingtx]

I think they are aphids. They are bad for your plants. I think neem will kill them, but I believe you can just use a water spray to knock them off your plants. When I see them on my citrus or apple trees I just use the garden hose. I am sure someone more knowledgeable than I will chime in, but at least you have a place to start! I am sure there is a lot of info online.
Carrie

[keylimin]

No, not aphids. They are much bigger and pink. No black spots on them though. I'm thinking leaf footed nymph stage. Anyway they got sprayed today.

[b54red]

They are aphids. They come in many sizes and colors.

[EarlyStarter]

Originally Posted by b54red

They are aphids. They come in many sizes and colors.

+1

[tjg911]

look like aphids to me. spray 'em with a blast of water or insecticidal soap will work too.

tom

[Mojave]

Aphids. Ladybugs love 'em.

http://www.sophisticatededge.com/what-eats-aphids.html

[kurt]

Notice the crawler stage,some will move in ground from plant to plant.Ants will keep some aphids and "farm them"from plant to plant.Unique little critters.Nuke the soil if they reappear for the crawlers.

[ginger2778]

Definitely aphids.
+1 on Ladybugs and neem, and water spray.waterspray is third on my list because the ants will carry some back on the plants and they multiply quickly. I like killing them.
Marsha

[lakelady]

spray with soapy water. I like killing them and don't chance them coming back with just plain old water.

[habitat_gardener]

I leave as many aphids as I can stand on my plants for the ladybugs and other predators. They were all over my kale plants, the ladybugs showed up, and 2 days later, no more aphids. It was so bad I'd been thinking about removing the kale plants, but now they're totally aphid-free. I have lots of yarrow, and that's where I see the ladybugs now. Probably a third of my garden is plants for the pollinators and beneficials.

[tjg911]

aphids can't fly and they can't really walk anywhere. so when you knock them off with a blast of water they are done as far as your plants are concerned. they'll be eaten or die on the ground. neem can kill beneficials so i won't use it.

tom

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by tjg911

aphids can't fly and they can't really walk anywhere. so when you knock them off with a blast of water they are done as far as your plants are concerned. they'll be eaten or die on the ground. neem can kill beneficials so i won't use it.

tom

Yes, true. They are said to be the cows for ants because ants carry them onto the plants, then tap their rear ends and the aphids secrete a little of the dew/ sap from the plant to feed the ants. Symbiosis.
Marsha

[kurt]

Originally Posted by tjg911

aphids can't fly and they can't really walk anywhere. so when you knock them off with a blast of water they are done as far as your plants are concerned. they'll be eaten or die on the ground. neem can kill beneficials so i won't use it.

tom

Aphids may be green, yellow, brown, red or black depending on the species and the plants they feed on. A few species appear waxy or woolly due to the secretion of a waxy white or gray substance over their body surface. All are small, pear-shaped insects with long legs and antennae. Most species have a pair of tubelike structures called cornicles projecting backwards out of the hind end of their body. The presence of cornicles distinguishes aphids from all other insects.
Adult aphids are generally wingless, but most species also occur in winged forms, especially when populations are high or during spring and fall. The ability to produce winged individuals provides the pest with a way to disperse to other plants when the food source gets scarce. Although they may be found singly, aphids often feed in dense groups on leaves or stems. Unlike leafhoppers, plant bugs, and certain other insects that might be confused with them, most aphids do not disperse rapidly when disturbed.

Winged aphid. Photo from the Florida Cooperative Extension

I thought the same.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by kurt

Aphids may be green, yellow, brown, red or black depending on the species and the plants they feed on. A few species appear waxy or woolly due to the secretion of a waxy white or gray substance over their body surface. All are small, pear-shaped insects with long legs and antennae. Most species have a pair of tubelike structures called cornicles projecting backwards out of the hind end of their body. The presence of cornicles distinguishes aphids from all other insects.
Adult aphids are generally wingless, but most species also occur in winged forms, especially when populations are high or during spring and fall. The ability to produce winged individuals provides the pest with a way to disperse to other plants when the food source gets scarce. Although they may be found singly, aphids often feed in dense groups on leaves or stems. Unlike leafhoppers, plant bugs, and certain other insects that might be confused with them, most aphids do not disperse rapidly when disturbed.

Winged aphid. Photo from the Florida Cooperative Extension

I thought the same.

Thanks Kurt. That was informative.
Marsha