CLOSED: What are these bugs

Ottawa, KS(Zone 6a)


AceBug Ottawa, KS(Zone 6a) Jul 01, 2016
Mammoth sunflower underside of lower leaves, that have had yellow rusty spots for at least a month, now those leaves covered in these thingies...and there have been ants on it since it started growing. I do not think any of these things are ants now though...it is as if it is an insect in varying stages of growth, the biggest ones being the light colored with brown, and have legs and all. The littlest look like ants kind of, and the others look...bigger black like they are covered in stuff or something or I suppose just haven't turned light colored yet. Don't deem to do any flying. Are these aphids?

Thumbnail by AceBug Thumbnail by AceBug Thumbnail by AceBug Thumbnail by AceBug
Minot, ND

The ants are 'tending' nymphs of a treehopper (family Membracidae) - see http://www.alexanderwild.com/keyword/ants;ecology/i-QZH3v9Z/A for a close-up image...

Ottawa, KS(Zone 6a)

So GROSS! But looks about right, thank for your information. I have been looking into treehoppers, but hard finding exactly what mine are. I removed the leaves, they looked bad anyway, took far away, smashed and poured vinegar all over so nothing could survive. Is dealing with any type of this insect the same approach, possibly an oil or dish soap spray? Either way, now I think I know what i am dealing with, so thank you for you help!

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