Which pest is described as having piercing/sucking mouthparts?

Which pest is described as having piercing/sucking mouthparts?

• A. Aphids
• B. Stink Bugs
• C. Beetles
• D. Caterpillars

Answer: (B)

Piercing/sucking mouthparts are used by true bugs to pierce plant tissue and suck out the plant sap. Stink bugs are a shield-shaped true bug with a needle-like rostrum tucked under the head, which they insert into fruits, seeds, or stems to feed on the sap. This feeding method—tiny, precise punctures followed by sap extraction—fits the description of piercing/sucking mouthparts. In contrast, beetles and caterpillars typically chew with their mandibles, taking bites of tissue rather than sucking sap. Aphids also use piercing-sucking mouthparts, but the characteristic that identifies many common garden pests described this way is the stink bug’s feeding style via its specialized beak.

Piercing/sucking mouthparts are used by true bugs to pierce plant tissue and suck out the plant sap. Stink bugs are a shield-shaped true bug with a needle-like rostrum tucked under the head, which they insert into fruits, seeds, or stems to feed on the sap. This feeding method—tiny, precise punctures followed by sap extraction—fits the description of piercing/sucking mouthparts. In contrast, beetles and caterpillars typically chew with their mandibles, taking bites of tissue rather than sucking sap. Aphids also use piercing-sucking mouthparts, but the characteristic that identifies many common garden pests described this way is the stink bug’s feeding style via its specialized beak.