I have had earwigs tunnel a hole through the buds but never chew them off completely.

In my garden, bitten off buds would be deer :-) They seem to like the unopened flower buds the best, followed by the very tender new growth.

Snails will chew on the tepals but I've not had then eat off entire flowers.

I live in a subdivision so probably not a deer. I'll try some earwig traps because I know I have those. I'll also check for caterpillars. Thanks for the replies

I have watched our chipmunks pull a clem vine down and munch on the buds. Others near the ground are easier for them to dine on. I thought perhaps something else was eating a couple of clems that would be harder to get at, but after seeing the chippies run along some very thin branches, I'm sure they would have no trouble going from our large rocks and running onto the top of the short wire fence that has a couple of other clems growing on it.

Anne

Thanks Anne. I do have 3 chipmunks that live in the backyard where the clem is. No more damage since so I'll forgive the culprit this time. The rest of the clem buds are much higher on the trellis so I hope that keeps themy safe.