Scale is an insect pest that damages plants by which action?

Scale is an insect pest that damages plants by which action?

• A. Sucking the juices out of stems and leaves
• B. Chewing holes in leaves
• C. Pollinating flowers
• D. Deforming roots

Answer: (A)

Scale insects are sap-sucking pests. They attach to plant stems and leaves and feed by inserting specialized mouthparts to extract plant juices. This feeding deprives the plant of water and nutrients, leading to weakened growth, yellowing, leaf drop, and stunted development. In addition, the honeydew they excrete can attract sooty mold, which covers surfaces and further decreases photosynthesis. The other actions listed describe different insect behaviors—chewing creates holes, pollination is a beneficial plant process, and root deformities are caused by other kinds of pests—so they don’t match how scale insects damage plants.

Scale insects are sap-sucking pests. They attach to plant stems and leaves and feed by inserting specialized mouthparts to extract plant juices. This feeding deprives the plant of water and nutrients, leading to weakened growth, yellowing, leaf drop, and stunted development. In addition, the honeydew they excrete can attract sooty mold, which covers surfaces and further decreases photosynthesis. The other actions listed describe different insect behaviors—chewing creates holes, pollination is a beneficial plant process, and root deformities are caused by other kinds of pests—so they don’t match how scale insects damage plants.