There is a bright orange bug that sits in bunches on the unopened blooms of my Hibiscus, sucks the life out of them and then they do not bloom. Does anyone know what they are and how to be rid of them?
Something is BUGGING my Hibiscus.
I suspect the orange bugs are not the problem. I think they are likely asassin bugs and are eating the aphids that are the problem. Look closely at the buds and see if you see tiny green, white or gray specs. I have a number of hibiscus and have only one that seems to be more susceptible to this problem than the others. I spray this one with a strong stream from the garden hose once a week and it takes care of them. If yours is a bigger problem that can be handled with a spray, try Bayer Tree and Shrub systemic granules. A capfull around the base of the plant will take care of it. I usually only use chemicals as a last resort, but use this ocassionally. Hope this helps. (You can google asassin bug to find an image to make sure that's what you're seeing.)
If this bright orange bug is "sitting in bunches" it most likely is not an assassin bug. They travel alone. Unless they have just hatched.
More likely it is the nymph stage in the leaf-footed bug or Coreid family...They suck juice from plants.
Do you see several different stages represented? Not all look exactly alike?
http://bugguide.net/node/view/55612
another possibility:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/34545/bgimage
Assassins are our friends.... its the lil white leaf gorgers they feed on that can do harm...
They feed on a lot more than lil white leaf gorgers - even each other, which is why they travel ALONE.
Isn't a hardy hibiscus a host plant for some species of butterflies too? I have found caterpillars on some of my hibiscus plants.