Beetle of some kind eating sunflower plants

Question

A bug of some sort is eating our sunflower plants, leaving holes in the leaves and eating the stalk of the leaves, Not bothering the flower itself, just the leaves mostly, we searched the stalk the leaves and all over, the only thing we found is a bug of some sort, I’ve added a pic of it, is there a way to Spray it without killing the plant or anamals.

Answer 1

The insect in your photo appears to be a ‘leafhopper’. But I doubt that this is what is causing holes in the leaves and stems. Leafhoppers are sucking insects and not chewing insects. There may be grasshoppers or another insect pest causing the damage you describe.

The following articles may be of help to determine the actual pest causing damage and the appropriate control.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/sunflower-problems.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/leafhopper-control.htm