Hmmmm! Interesting! (First time I've seen aphid make that webby looking stuff! Maybe they're evolving... or mutating! :p ) Steve, have you also noticed an ant problem on/around the
plants since these bugs arrived?
As I said before, the treatment is the same for the three "bugs" mentioned above, so which one they happen to be isn't really a big deal to me! If you haven't already killed them off, Steve, I'd like to suggest that you take a sample of them to your County Extension office, & they'll identify them for you,
in person . (That should finalize your first question...
after all, there's only 1 expert among us so far on this topic, & we [i]are diagnosing your problem from photos, rather than live specimens!)[/i]
As for your 3rd question, night time temps of 55-60F isn't cold enough to cause leaf loss, but over watering will. Yes, the "bugs" might be the culprits too, but they would more than likely mottle the leaves first. Insufficient light will also cause leaf loss.
Other than the "bugs", it looks like you have a nice, healthy
plant going for you!
Before your temps fall below 50F, bring your
pepper plants indoors if you'd like to keep them going! If they are in the ground now, you'll want to transfer them to plastic pots (not clay/terra-cotta pots). While you're at it... ground eggs shells, worked into the soil, will provide the calcium that improves
pepper production & quality. They don't have a deep root system but the roots branch out fairly close to the surface, so position your shovel several inches away from the
plant & bring up as much soil with the roots as you can, in a single scoop, to avoid shocking. Water them lightly (don't fertilize) & don't put them in a sunny window for the first few days. Remember that they're in a different environment indoors, where they don't have air & temp changes to deal with, so for proper watering, lift the pot every few days & if it feels light, water moderately.