Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Practice Exam

Which common garden pest is known for damaging leaves by feeding on their sap?

1. Ants

2. Fleas

3. Leafhoppers

4. Spider mites

The correct answer is: Leafhoppers

Leafhoppers are known for their distinctive feeding habits that primarily involve extracting sap from plant leaves, which can lead to significant damage. As they feed on the sap, they not only diminish the plant's nutritional resources but can also introduce stress signals within the plant, resulting in yellowing or curling of the leaves. Additionally, their feeding can create a situation where the plants become vulnerable to diseases and further pest infestations. In contrast to leafhoppers, ants are primarily scavengers and do not directly feed on sap; rather, they might protect and farm other sap-sucking pests like aphids for their honeydew. Fleas typically target animals rather than plants and thus do not play a role in damaging garden foliage. Spider mites, while they may damage plants, do so by piercing the leaf surface with their specialized mouthparts to consume cell contents, rather than directly feeding on the sap. Understanding the specific behaviors and feeding mechanisms of these pests is crucial for effective pest management within a garden setting.