I have had the same thing but I did find out how to prevent it on my hostas - surround it with pine needles,(they are usually covered up by the big leaves if you don't like the look). This has worked for me for several years BUT I have the same holes in my gerber daisies and where I have planted them, I don't want the pine needle look so hope someone might have another idea. Love this site - Thanks, All!!!!

jbs very well might- the like other prunus species members. to see if it's jb's, go out midday and shake your tree. if a swarm of bugs come flying off, they are likely jb's. sometimes they can be hard to see. also, cherries are a favorite of tent caterpillars, and they will completely defoliate them. but- i'd think you'd notice the tent. even if the pillars were still small, if you notice a dense white webbing at the juncture of some of the branches, you've got tent caterpillars. there are a couple broods a year.

Texas Soldier Beetle? Looks like it's a good guy: Soldier beetle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The soldier beetles, Cantharidae, are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles, related to the Lampyridae or firefly family, but unable to produce light. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. A secondary common name is leatherwing, obtained from the texture of the wing covers. Soldier beetles are highly desired by gardeners as biological control agents of a number of pest insects. The larvae tend to be dark brown or gray, slender and wormlike with a rippled appearance due to pronounced segmentation. They consume grasshopper eggs, aphids, caterpillars and other soft bodied insects, most of which are pests. The adults are especially important predators of aphids. They supplement their diet with nectar and pollen and can be minor pollinators. Soldier beetle populations can be increased by planting good nectar- or pollen-producing plants such as Asclepias or Solidago. Here is a link that might be useful: Soldier Beetle - Chauliognathus sp.

Thanks to everyone! Rats!! It might be rats. I've seen some running along the fence. Lots of construction in the area and it's sending them scurrying hither and yon. Guess they're small enough to eat the heads without trampling the leaves, huh. Yikes! Wish I could blame a more pleasant critter.