I can't help you as far as id-ing the bug, but my purple leaf sandcherry would get eaten every year by green catepillars. I had a hard time keeping that shrub looking good in my yard, and ultimately, I had to remove it. I just took it out a few weeks ago. (Not that I'm recommending taking out your shrub - if it looks good, and you like it, it is a pretty shrub.) As far as pruning it, it does take to drastic pruning really well - I had to cut it back quite a bit each year due to the catepillar damage, and it bounced right back.

Probably fruitworms. They are moth larvae. The moth, usually active at night, lays tiny eggs. The eggs are hard to see unless you catch them at just the right time, in just the right place. When the eggs hatch the very small larvae find the fruit and burrow in. That's where the larvae stay and grow, along with the fruit. Once big enough, they sometimes travel fruit to fruit leaving a mess behind them. I have never noticed the eggs and never noticed the larvae on leaves. I'm not sure I want to notice them. But they are hard not to see once they invade the fruit. :-) I hate these things - they give me the creeps. I found that spraying the plants with an insecticide for vegetables (such as Safer for vegetable gardens) every week or two has prevented this from happening. I don't get too fancy - just spray the leaves, especially near the flowers and young fruit. I don't go crazy with getting undersides of leaves - I hit them when I can but don't bother with the ones that are too difficult to get at. I start at the flowering stage and then spray every week or two (usually every 2 weeks because I'm forgetful). That does a good job of keeping the fruitworms at bay. I've rarely seen a fruitworm in the last couple of years as a result. I realize that doesn't help you now because the damage is already done, but it may help in the future. I just grow about 10 tomato plants and find that the quart/liter bottle (no mixing required) lasts quite a while. If I run out, I just get an additional bottle. I wouldn't go crazy with stocking up and I wouldn't go crazy using a lot of product unless you have lots of plants.

The two-part epoxy that someone mentioned is made by the 3M company. You purchase an applicator and then the D-100 cartridges and mixing nozzles for it. Any good hardwood floor materials dealer should have it all in stock. The cartidges are not cheap...about $10 each. The applicator was about $20 when I bought mine. I don't know what they cost today. You could also use Timbermate floor filler in white oak color. However, I would recommend testing to see how the color out of the box will stain with your chosen stain. Timbermate also is something you get at a flooring materials dealer.

Does anyone know what made this hole? I’m thinking it’s a snake but not 100% sure. Thanks!