Q: I couldn’t catch a picture of the flying insect as it was too fast. I took pictures of the damage on my hibiscus. What can I do to eradicate it?

A: Without seeing the insect, it if difficult to tell if that insect caused this particular damage. The chewed leaves are the result of caterpillar damage and the use of a product such as Thuricide should stop that if used regularly.

I am not aware of any specific insect that cuts the flower bud of hibiscus at the base of the bud but there are problems with the buds that cause them to fall from the stem before opening.

There are two culprits that cause buds to drop off early, the recently introduced flower bud midge and a group of caterpillar larvae that feed inside the buds. These can be prevented by spraying the newly developing buds with a product such as Ortho Rose and Flower Insect Killer. Always read and follow the directions on the pesticide container for your safety and consistent control of the pests.

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