Don't you think they are aphids? Looks like them. I don't get the ant part. If they are squishy, I would say aphids.

FWIW, I'm not saying they aren't aphids, but I've never had aphids before. I thought aphids were green?

Cheers,
Russ

I would be tempted to say that pdshop is correct in those dastardly bugs being aphids. Usually green, they come in other colors such as black, brown, & pink. They can be distributed for miles by the wind. Ants use aphids as cows, milking them for their secretions. Ants are known to pick up and carry aphids to other plants.

Russ, I don't know what the heck those are but I had them on a few plants earlier in the season. I thought aphids were supposed to be smaller than that but anyway, I did get rid of them. I just blasted them with a water hose to dislodge them. Also used a product with an insecticide (imidacloprid) to mix and pour at the base of the plant. Haven't seen them since.

They're black aphids Russ, and very easily managed with a stream of water, like linht said. I use a forceful squirt from your basic spray bottle and that's the end of them. Without a spray bottle, place forefinger and thumb on opposite sides of stem and wipe em out. They're easy.

The ants have a symbiotic relationship with aphids, apparently.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ants and aphids

Thanks folks!

Cheers,
Russ