Gardening

at this time of year, it is hard to say. It could be grasshoppers or earwigs or various beetles (I have grasshopper problems right now). If it is not a serious problem at this time of year, I would leave it alone (but that is because I don't treat anything unless it is a big problem). The dusty powder is probably powdery mildew (duh! Very good name for it). I get a lot of powdery mildew at this time of year, and although it takes away from the attractiveness of the folage, it will not do deadly damage this late in the season....and I don't know if you can stop it now. If you are putting something that is prone to powdery mildew in the same spot next year, look into treating for it early---and make sure you clean out all the dead plants and leaves this fall.

Good luck, and I hope you get better responses than I was able to give you!