Are these bug?

[flhiker]

A friend gave me a B.nodosa about a week or two ago,and today I see this on the tip of one leaf. First of all what are they? Are they harmful? Should I quarantine the plant? How do I get rid of them? This is my first sign of any pest! Thanks for your help

Sorry for the 40 Questions

[Lagoon]

It's a bit difficult to tell, But the way they cluster up ... look like aphids. You might also want to check for ants in the media, since they farm them.
I would pick them off then follow thru with spraying of Soap dish and water.

[gmdiaz]

You could also put the plant in a screened quarantine with a bag of ladybugs. . .I had to do that one time with a juniper bonsai.

Worked like a charm.

[Jeremy]

Definetly qurantine them from other plants. If the bugs are moving rapidly then they may be ants (they may be those dangerous red ants that I heard infest much of Florida? I am not sure if ants eat plants, but there does seem to chew marks on the leaf next to it) otherwise they could be aphids. I would first try to wash them off with strong jets of warm water, if this doesnt work then try neem oil or horticultural oil. If this doesnt work then try a low toxic insecticide like pyrethins. If this doesnt work use a potent insecticide. Usually the insecticides that are meant for roses are safe for orchids. Good luck