Strange bug(s) on sunflowers?

[sunshowers]

Hi, I wasn't sure where to go on the internet to ask for help on identifying a bug.. so I settled for this. I wouldn't classify myself as a "gardener," just a seventeen year old girl with hopes of having some beautiful sunflowers!! I live in East Tennessee, Monroe County, and have planted these in red clay. They have been growing great, but recently I have noticed their leaves started like..wilting? They get ample sun and water, so I am sure that is not the case.. I further examined and noticed there were not only black ants, but some weird looking bugs. (picture below) I was wondering if any of you experts might know what this bug is and how to get rid of them?? I've just been knocking them off and squishing them for the time being. Any tips on taking care of them would be great, too. Thanks a million!


can try to add different pictures if needed! thanks again!!!!

[applestar]

Does it hop away when you try to touch it? I believe it's a plant hopper. It's a sucking insect and you can see the speckles in the leaf where it's been piercing the leaf.
url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/vi ... 21#p336021

The ants are probably attracted to honeydew produced by the sucking insect.