Blue Bugs eating my Apple Tree Leaves

I've finally gotten enough nerve up to post a question.

I'm in Roanoke, VA, either in Zone 6 or 7 (the dividing line goes through our county).  Microclimate here near downtown and in the valley probably makes us closer to 7.  We have 3 apple trees that we inherited from the previous owners who were stupid and planted them WAY too close together.  We've battle aphids, lost a crop to windstorms and now we have a BUG.

I THINK that I saw something about this bug a couple of months ago in an older thread, but I also think I'm too stupid to find it using the search.  At least I haven't managed to find it after an hour's search.  There are blue bugs making red spots on my apple tree leaves.  I finally saw one, it was on top of the leaf not underneath, its about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch long, has stiff blue hairs or spines with some orange ones making a 3x3 square near the end.  The affected leaves have red spots on them and the ones hit worst are curling and dying.  I'd post a pic, but don't have a camera at this time other than my SO's fancy 35 mm that I daren't touch on pain of pain.  I have tried looking at the VA/VA Tech Agricultural Extension site, but I can't find anything that's close, and googling the pests they mention doesn't show anything remotely like this.  The only place I can think I've seen a pic of this bug is here.  Please help a complete neophyte.  Up til yesterday I was so proud of what I've managed to do with my yard.

Thanks,

Katie