Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Practice Exam

Aphids are considered a common landscape pest because they are small, sap-sucking insects that can be found on a wide variety of plants. They reproduce quickly and can form large populations, which can lead to significant damage to plants by depleting their nutrients. This weakening can make plants more susceptible to diseases and affect their overall health and vigor. In contrast, ladybugs are actually beneficial insects that feed on aphids and other pests, playing an important role in natural pest control. Butterflies, while they can be a nuisance to some gardeners, are primarily pollinators and do not damage plants in the way that pests do. Similarly, bees are also essential pollinators that contribute positively to the ecosystem and are not regarded as pests. This distinction highlights why aphids are recognized as a problematic pest in landscape horticulture.