Sambucas Nigra- Pests?

Louise.smith82uk

Hi

My Sambucus Nigra was flourishing this year....then suddenly began to thin out and existing leaves look to be eaten by something. Hardly any foliage left now. Thinking of a hard prune in the next few weeks and hope for a stronger re-growth next Spring. 
Any advice? Has anyone seen this kind of problem before?

TIA
Louise

Ceres

Sadly it's difficult to tell what has been munching through your elderberry without catching the beasts in the act.

LynfromSea

Looks as though it could be vine weevil by the way the leaves look munched. Have a look at the bottom of your container or lift the plant out to see whether there are any small eggs or look at for the beetle. Don’t put it in the ground until you are sure as they spread like crazy and cause a lot of damage. 😉 

BobTheGardener

Could also be small snails or caterpillars, looking at the damage.  If ongoing, likely the former.  Check under the rim and area around the shaded back of the pot, which is where both snails and vine weevils like to hide during the day.