Little black bugs

[powder28]

I have a Euonymus eur Red Cascade in my garden and when i went out earlier there were loads of little black bugs all over it! Does anyone know what they are and if they are harmful?

Aphids?
Scale?

Thanks avalon, I think they may be aphids. Ive just gone and sprayed the little feckers with washing up liquid and water. Not sure if it will kill them.

Well it's not going to make them too happy!

I've got the same euonymus - I'll be checking it later, just in case.