I have found these little black bugs on my plants. They seem to always be at a leaf joint, but I did find some in soil. They don't fly and spraying with neem oil seems to kill them on contact. They must eat at the leaf joint or suck fluid from that area because once they get on a plant all it takes is the lightest touch and the leaf falls off. Does anyone know what these plant munching pain in the butts are?
The only object in this image that is identifiable as an insect appears to be a springtail (order Collembola), the oblong dark object at left center. It most certainly would not be responsible for the leaf fall symptoms that you mentioned.
I know the photo is terrible, I tried to zoom in so the insecticide could be seen better. After doing some research, in thinking it may be thrips. Not 100% positive. Whatever it is has affected leaves on a locust tree, a golden willow, a rose of Sharon and my tomato plants. All are planted in the front of my yard. And of course I had my house plants on my porch and the leaves from the trees would blow onto the porch. They also ended up in the front flower bed and caused damage to my glads, at the time though I didn't realize it was insect damage. They appear to have wings, but never seem to fly...
