Thanks, Jay for the link.
I saw a spectacular H. coccineus in Kettering OH when I was up there last summer [probably a H. coccineus x H. moscheutos cross]. I really wanted this Hibiscus, so absconded with a ripe seed pod from one of the plants. Back in Florida, I found I had 25-30 seed. I packed them away in a clear plastic pouch. About a month or so later, going through some seed, I discovered the H. coccineus (Kettering) pouch was filled with these beetles.
Now I know what they are. I killed the beetles (and luckily still ended up with three viable seed).
In reading up on these Hibiscus seed beetles, I read that the adults feed on the pollen (which explains there presence in new blooms), and lay eggs on developing seed pods. So, Anne, you should be safe with your hand pollinating program. Way too early for the adults to lay eggs before the seed pod is even developing.
But let us know how you fare!
