Um, it sounds like you're describing a ladybug larva???

-Kristy

Kristy, I also was thinking about ladybug larva, though humped like a buffalo was a puzzling description.

Naiche, do they look similar to any of these pictures?

Here is a link that might be useful: beneficial lady bug larvae

Solanaceous planthoppers.

Planthoppers holding onto the tomato plant, Jean? By definition, wouldn't they be hopping around?

-Kristy

You asked: "wouldn't they be hopping around?"

Not this particular kind.

The adults appear as if a gree thorn on the stem. When disturbed, they move to the bsackside of the stem.

The youngsters are very sluggish. Tend to feed in groups.

If they're you're problem, I'll suggest that the plants are stressed by something else.

Thank you all for the responses, and sorry for the delay in replying. It sounds like you describe the behavior quite exactly jean001. But are you saying that these little critters pose little threat to the well being of the plant?

I have taken some pictures although my camera will not focus on such a small creature AND i CAN NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO UPLOAD A PICTURE ANYHOW TO THIS POST. If I can figure it out, I will include a picture of the plant so that someone might suggest why the plant is becoming so dried out. I suppose it could be root-bound but it seems unlikely when compared with my other much larger plant which is doing fine.

Well, instead of uploading images, it seems easier to just give you a link to my webspace where I have uploaded the images: http://mysite.verizon.net/magulandia/tomatoplant.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Pics

Yep. That's them.

And they are a threat to your plants because they pierce the stems to remove the plant sap. Typically they cluster at leaf nodes, thus can stop the plant's growth.

In general, they tend to attack stressed plants, including at the end of the season.

I found that squishing them is the most effective method. (Works fine if you have a limited number of plants.)

Next best is direct hits with insecticidal soap, diluted according to label directions. Repeat every several days.

Thanks jean, I'm gonna get rid of those guys. But, did you notice if the plant looked too big for the pot it was in? Could that be what is stressing it too?