New from Virginia...Need Help To Identify Bugs

Hello Everyone! I am new to the forum and fairly new to container gardening. I just got a lovely gardenia plant when we discovered it was infested with aphids (yuck). We purchased a container of ladybugs and set them free on the plant in the evening, as instructed. It has now been about 2 weeks and I have discovered some strange looking eggs on one of the leaves. Can someone help me identify what these are? If they're ladybug eggs or pupa, I do not want to harm them...if its anything else, I want them gone ASAP. Thanks for your help!

 

Hi dude, I assume that is Virginia in the US of A?

Welcome to GC.

Cannot answer your problem but I am sure there is someone here who can.

 

I'd hate to have shot at IDing any US bugs.
Not something I have seen around here, but dont think its ladybird(bug) eggs.

Rattlesnake maybe?

 

Thanks for the replies! I actually did a little more googling and found some pics of ants farming aphid eggs. So...it looks like the pests were not completely eliminated before the ladybug colony dined and dashed. I'm off to the garden center to pick up a fresh pot, new potting soil, and another container of ladybugs!
And yes, I'm in the USA, in Northern Virginia. Thankfully, I'm nowhere near rattlesnake country ;0)
Cheers!