What's eating my elderberry 'nova'?

Elderberry 'Nova' attracts aphids, elderberry borers, and spider mites in summer, plus birds that strip ripe berries. Spotted wing drosophila can damage fruit near harvest. The biggest garden threat is elderberry borer, a beetle larva that tunnels through canes and causes sudden wilting.

Canes wilt suddenly and snap; sawdust-like frass at the base of stems where larvae tunnel Cut and destroy infested canes below the entry hole; dispose off-site. Avoid leaving pruning debris on the ground.

Curled, sticky, or yellowed leaves on new growth; colonies on undersides of leaves and soft shoot tips Blast off with a strong jet of water; introduce ladybugs or lacewings; spray insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy.

Small puncture wounds and soft, collapsing berries near harvest; larvae inside ripe fruit Harvest promptly when ripe; use fine mesh fruit-exclusion netting from color change onward; use approved bait traps nearby.

Entire berry clusters stripped from the shrub as fruit ripens Drape bird-exclusion netting over the shrub once berries begin to color; reflective tape or scare devices offer partial deterrence only.