Friend or Foe? What is this?

[mistymac]

I found these on grass near our squash/cucumber plants. I've never seen these before. What are they!? Help!

 

[room onthebroom]

That looks like aphids. Foe.

 

[lazy gardener]

Hard to tell from the pic, but I agree: aphids. they can be black or green often seen with ants in attendance. They can carry some nasty diseases that will infect the foliage of the plants they are on. Easy enough to spray them off, or even use a bit of soapy water. A sharp blast from a hose will remove them. Simply go back to remove them again if they show back up.

 

[Old Philosopher]

Hard to tell from the pic, but I agree: aphids. they can be black or green often seen with ants in attendance. They can carry some nasty diseases that will infect the foliage of the plants they are on. Easy enough to spray them off, or even use a bit of soapy water. A sharp blast from a hose will remove them. Simply go back to remove them again if they show back up.

A Black Aphid infestation killed my 4 year old cherry tree! I tried every 'organic' pesticide I could research, and finally had to drown them with Sevin...but it was too late. Wish I'd brought out the Big Guns in the beginning.
Ants love aphids of all kinds. They actually "farm" them to keep them healthy. The aphids extrude a sweet liquid the ants relish. So if you have aphids AND ants, best to be rid of both of them ASAP.