Hi all. I need help identifying this annoying critter. I am calling it a beetle, but I could be wrong. Here's my description...
They get into the blooms, once opened, deep amidst the petals and make the blooms ugly. They don't quite chew on the petals (as best I can tell-nothing obvious), but they nestle in there, making the blooms malformed and darken the area where they're snuggled-whether just by being there or with their poop,or...? I'm 99% sure they aren't in there as the bloom is forming, because I have been checking as it opens, to see if I can find them ahead of time and knock them off. They don't move much-seem to say in the same spot. I could be way off on that, too, because they'll not be there one day, then appear the next.
There's no leaf damage and it is maybe 1/2" big, very dark bownish-black, not irridescent at all. A barely discernable light brown feathering on it's back. Someone suggested I take it to a local nursery or county extension, which I will do when I get a day off. But I was hoping someone had an idea. I've googled, I've scanned bug files and can't find it, but there's so much ground to cover. And as previously stated, it may not even be a beetle...any help is appreciated.
