Everything is in focus except the bug.

A bug that has the power to cloud men's (and DTD's) minds? Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!

Hmm, judging from the second photo, I'd say the Loch Ness Monster is in your garden.

Gee, I always thought Nessie was a bit bigger than that...

;)
Dee

sasha-nh, if the dahlias are otherwise healthy I wouldn't worry about this bug.

If you really need an id, here are 3 suggestions.
It may be that you're trying to get too close, lenses have different limits. Try backing up a bit for a better chance the camera will be able to focus.

Then, try putting the bug on a larger surface - like a table - and compose the photo so there are no distant objects in the frame. The camera is apparently trying to focus on the background (the car at the curb, the wrought iron stairway banister, the gravel, all of which are crystal clear!).

You may have it in 'landscape mode' (if it's that kind of camera) or you're not giving it time to detect and focus on the bug; maybe if there's nothing BUT the bug in the field of view it will work better.

Try putting the camera into "macro" mode - it's usually one of the settings next to the LCD, indicated by a little flower shape. That is very easy to adjust.

You've got the hard part down - posting photos to GW!

I have something similar on my potatoes. They do damage the plants, so I knock them into a can of soapy water as I'm on patrol for potato bugs. They are pretty powerful hoppers. No clue what they are called.