Leaves are chewed or have holes

Japanese beetles more often attack fruit, but also chew on blackberry leaves.

LS 08 insect pest Japanese beetle damage
OX Japanese beetle pest insect 08 damage

Chewed leaves and cane tips can occur due to deer pressure. Damage is usually seen on young shoots and deer seem to prefer thornless cultivars though damage to thorny cultivars has also been seen. Damage tends to occur when other food sources in the vicinity are scarce.

image not available