Insect piercing and sucking damage to plants may be done by both nymphs and adults.

Insect piercing and sucking damage to plants may be done by both nymphs and adults.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only by nymphs
• D. Only by adults

Answer: (A)

Piercing-sucking insects feed by inserting specialized mouthparts into plant tissues to suck out sap, and these mouthparts are functional from early nymphal stages through adulthood. Because both immature and adult individuals have these feeding structures, either life stage can cause injury to the plant. You’ll see the resulting symptoms across stages: stunted growth, leaf curling or yellowing, and in some cases honeydew leading to sooty mold. Some pests also spread diseases during feeding, so damage isn’t limited to a single life stage. That’s why the statement is true—nymphs and adults alike can contribute to piercing-sucking damage.

Piercing-sucking insects feed by inserting specialized mouthparts into plant tissues to suck out sap, and these mouthparts are functional from early nymphal stages through adulthood. Because both immature and adult individuals have these feeding structures, either life stage can cause injury to the plant. You’ll see the resulting symptoms across stages: stunted growth, leaf curling or yellowing, and in some cases honeydew leading to sooty mold. Some pests also spread diseases during feeding, so damage isn’t limited to a single life stage. That’s why the statement is true—nymphs and adults alike can contribute to piercing-sucking damage.