I've never heard of coneflower mites. Not sure what's going on with the center, but those flower petals look like they were chewed off. It's been really dry and hot here and I've seen grasshoppers eating my coneflowers just like that.

You might want to do a search for coneflowers and Echinacea in the perennials forum to see if there is info there as well. I do know that the subject of coneflower mites came up in a discussion I saw somewhere a couple of weeks ago and will see if I can find it.

Not sure if mites would do that kind of damage to the petals but various finches have done that to mine. I can only guess they’re testing for seed ripeness.

tj

Thanks, all! I've never SEEN anything but bees on them, but who knows what's happening when I'm not watching. I will definitely check out the perennials forum.

I believe what is affecting your echinaceas is something called Asters yellow . It is a disease caused by leaf hoppers . See this link for more info https://homeguides.sfgate.com/diseases-echinacea-purpurea-69982.html and another link . These may help you identify what is going on with your plants . http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/viruses/aster-yellows.aspx

Hey signet - I heard of aster yellows, but all the info I saw, the "symptoms" don't match - the leaves aren't diseased, and we aren't getting any of the greened petals or green "crown" things that grow out of the cone.

Thanks! I looked at that link and sure enough someone else said, "It doesn't make the growths, but just piles of dust and frass? all over the seedhead" with what appeared to be mites. Sigh..sounds like mine. Not sure whether to prune it back or throw it out.

Omg I figured it out!! That link lead me to another. Sunflower moth :( http://coffeeforroses.com/whats-damaging-my-echinacea/#:~:text=When%20the%20Echinacea%20flowers%20just,frass%2C%20out%20of%20the%20cone.&text=This%20is%20the%20Sunflower%20moth%2C%20Homoesoma%20electellum%2C%20larva.

I might remove and seal up and trash all flowers and seed heads now and for the rest of this season. Then see how they do next year. If it is an issue again, I would remove the plants.