Those are ladybugs. Don't hurt them!

Definitely not lady bugs ... they're hairy and mean-looking. Are they a different variety than the standard red-and-black shiny beetle shell?

Ebony.....those are definitely the larvae of adult ladybugs. You need to do a little homework on your beneficials!

I suggest that you inspect your plant carefully for all of the typical pests that infest gardenia. Those larvae feast on the pests voraciously, just like the adults. Scale insects, whitefly, and aphids are possible culprits.

OOOOOOH MY GOODNESS. I knew I came to the right place - as always.

I just assumed Fori's comment was after a quick glance at my photo which showed a red and black bug - but they were absolutely right! My humblest apologies.

It never even occurred to me to go earlier in the life cycle of a ladybug to figure out what it was. And a beneficial? Sweet Moses. I've learned a lot in this short thread.

No wonder Google didn't pull anything up when I searched for 'black and red gardenia pests.'

We had a HORRIBLE infestation of scale (we lost her sister to it a few years back) so my husband and I sat outside one night a few years back with a spotlight and wiped every single leaf one-by-one with horticulture oil to help this one get better.

We will definitely reinspect for the real culprits now.

THANK YOU BOTH so much!

E.