are earwigs to blame?

M-in-law's lovely clematis has developed beautiful big buds for the second time this year, but something has been munching away on the inside of the buds :(

Looking in the RHS book of pests and diseases, they say that earwigs like to eat new foliage, and eat the petals too - but they don't mention getting inside closed buds. Does anyone know if they do this? It looks like it's going to be a bit wet for going outside with a torch tonight to insect!!

 

Could be earwigs or beetles. Earwigs get a bad press and although they will nibble the occasional flower, they are valuable garden friends because they eat caterpillars, aphids and insect eggs - particularly those of the codling moth. RHS book on Organic Gardening actually advises you to encourage them because they do far more good than harm. Often the way.

 

Thanks for that, Hornbeam. :D