I have my pepper seedlings outside and an aphid-like bug has shown up. It is just one per plant, usually right at the top. They are pretty quick and don’t appear to be feeding. When I get aphids it is usually a lot at once.
Is this some type of aphíd killer or predator that just looks like a big aphid? Squish or welcome it to the neighborhood with open arms?
Possible hint is that my plants are under oak trees in my backyard, so possibly these are something found on oaks?
I don’t see green stripe on back nor dark feet on lower picture.
I should have said upper picture.
@Audi_o_phile interesting suggestion, but if you look closely the bugs on my plants are different. The shape of the head, etc. seems different than aphids. But the thing that makes me feel they’re not aphids is the fact that I’ve noticed them for several days and I never see more than one on a plant. With aphids there is always an explosion of them.
Maybe a planthopper species (nymph)?
@zendog, I zoomed in a little further when I ran Google Lens the second time. One of the results was for an oak aphid. Maybe there is a species that is solitary or territorial. I can only recall having one run-in with that family of insects, so I am certainly no expert.
“usually right at the top” …this is where the most tender growth is and where plant-sucking bugs prefer to hang out. Not a good sign, even if the precise ID is in doubt. Keep an eye out for chews or deformed leaves.
