Georgia Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Preparation Guide

The Azalea Lacebug is an example of a piercing-sucking insect due to its feeding habits. These insects have specialized mouthparts that allow them to pierce plant tissues and suck out the sap or fluids from the plant. This type of feeding can lead to tissue damage and a decline in plant health, often resulting in visible symptoms such as stippling on leaves or a general yellowing.

Piercing-sucking insects are differentiated by their feeding behaviors and mouthpart structures, which are adapted for this particular method of feeding, unlike other types of insects. The Southern pine beetle, bagworm, and leafminer do not exhibit this feeding behavior; instead, they have different feeding mechanisms. The Southern pine beetle typically bores into wood, bagworms create protective cases and feed on foliage, and leafminers feed between the layers of leaf tissue. Understanding the distinct feeding habits of these insects provides valuable insight into pest management strategies in horticulture and agriculture.