Here are few of the not-so-nice are bugs we are seeing in our garden….
Leaffooted Plant Bug

There are many varieties of this critter ranging in color from dark brown to black. They produce a foul smell when handled or squashed. Leaf footed bugs are predominately sap feeders. They will puncture developing tomatoes and inject a toxin causing the fruit to rot from the inside out.
Leaffooted Plant Bugs, once established, are very difficult to control organically. The most effective insecticides against leaffooted bugs are broad-spectrum, pyrethroid-based insecticides, such as permethrin. However, these products can be quite toxic to bees and beneficial insects.
Four Lined Plant Bug

These bugs feed primarily on plant leaves. Herbs – especially mint and basil – are some of their favorite snacks. Dark spots (often mistaken as fungus) appear on leaves where they have been feeding.
Four Lined Plant Bugs nymphs are bright red and can be seen in the spring feeding on the upper side of plant leaves. Nymphs develop into adults in about four weeks. Adults feed until the weather starts getting warm, and can often be confused with Cucumber Beetles.
Insecticidal soaps can be very effective against the nymphs. Adult infestation is much harder to control, and may require applications of contact pesticides such as permethrin and bifenthrin.
Spotted Cucumber Beetles

The Spotted Cucumber Beetles are part of a large group of beetles known as Leaf Beetles. The Spotted Cucumber Beetles can cause severe damage especially to vegetable gardens. Thay are particularly fond of cucurbits: watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash. Spotted Cucumber Beetles can be active throughout the gardening season.
Here is control advice from the Mississippi State University Ag Extension Web Site: “Control adult cucumber beetles in home vegetable gardens with sprays containing permethrin, bifenthrin, or carbaryl. Check young plants and emerging seedlings regularly and spray promptly if necessary. Older plants can tolerate higher numbers of beetles. Before spraying edible plants with any pesticide, always be sure to note the pre-harvest interval for the product you are using and the crop you are using it on.”
Aphids

Aphids are extremely prolific and are one of the most damaging garden threats. Aphid eggs laid in the Fall hatch in the spring. During warm weather, a new generation can appear every two weeks (Aphids are born pregnant).
Single aphids are tiny and can be difficult to see. They thrive on the underside of leaves, and feed on plant sap. A horde of aphids will eventually kill a plant by destroying healthy leaves. Some plants are particularly susceptible to aphid damage. We find aphids are a big problem for eggplants.
Once they are established, controlling aphids is a constant battle. Ladybugs are aphids’ natural predator, so using broad spectrum insecticides is not recommended. Regular applications of oil based plant sprays (e.g. Neem Oil Sprays) can limit Aphid damage. IMPORTANT – Be sure to spray the underside of the leaves.