Insect and Spider Identification: CLOSED: Tiny worms destroying coneflower blooms, what to do?, 1 by thea611

thea611 wrote:
Every cone of my coneflowers is turning black and ugly, ruining each flower. When I scrape at the black stuff, I disturb some tiny (maybe 1/8 inch) worms that look like webworms. Even the brand new developing buds are getting it!! My coneflowers were the best I've ever had, til this started!!! Any clues what the culprit is, anybody else having the problem? I don't want to spray anything, I'd hurt the bees and butterflies in the surrounding flowers! HELP, please!