Insect and Spider Identification: CLOSED: What Kind of Beetle?, 1 by eirlys1

eirlys1 wrote:
These beetles showed up for the first time in 2 years on my Scarlet Butterfly Weed. They are eating all the flower buds! And, not saving any for the butterflies or the aphids that this particular plant puts up with. I never spray these plants because they are nectar and host plants for the beloved Butterflies.

So, I wore gardening gloves and because they congregate around the flower buds, I squished them (eeewwww). Is there any other way to kill these bad guys, and just what is their name?

Thanks,

Eirlys
Chiefland, Florida 32626