I've broken a half dozen or so buds off my plants in the past couple days that have turned a dark color and appear to be drying up. I have read many causes for this such as too dry, thrips, borers, fungus, etc. The cause I have heard most often is hot, humid weather when the buds are first forming. Of course, that wouldn't really explain why some buds on the same plant are fine. I have at least a few of those every year and wish I knew why. As far as the possibility of bugs, I was told to look for holes on the bottom of the bud. I wish I could be of some help. Do you have a county extension service near you that you could take them to be examined? They may be able to look at them and pinpoint the problem.
