More of the critters arrived to join the party, so they're now in buggy heaven (thanks to a few shots of Sevin). Although they couldn't hurt the hibiscus since it's finished blooming, they were right beside my confederate roses (that are now as tall as the house). They haven't started blooming yet.

Spinosad will nail them both. http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/colorado-potato-beetles/ and: http://beesandchicks.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/tuesdays-tips-%E2%80%94-spinosad-for-garden-pests/

Certainly not a love bug. It's a perfect image of the hibiscus sawfly, busy laying eggs on your plants. Those eggs will develop into green caterpillar LOOKING insects (not a real caterpillar) that will begin eating your plants. Hand removal of those little guys will do the trick, just keep your eye out for them. If you had a zillion plants and a swarm of these larvae, I would tell you to use commercial insecticidal soap for control. Quite safe for use around animals AND you! Here is a link that might be useful:

Does anyone have any tips for control of pollen beetle? My flowers are getting ravaged by them, I live in Victoria so it's hard enough keeping my tropical plants happy without these buggers hollowing out my flower buds. Any tips? edited spelling error.