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c. Chewing insects (beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers)

The two major groups of insects that cause damage to plants with their chewing mouthparts

are the caterpillars and beetles. Others that can also be damaging include grasshoppers and

their relatives. Caterpillars are the immature stage of moths and butterflies and can vary greatly

in size and color. Many species of beetles frequently cause injury to ornamental plants. Both
the adult and larval stages can be damaging, depending on the species. Beetles vary greatly

in their feeding habits, body shape, size and color. Some beetle larvae feed on leaves, while

others are root feeders are feed within woody tissue. Virtually all plants are subject to attack

from one or more species of beetles, caterpillars or grasshoppers.

d. Leafminers

Leafminers are named because of their habit of mining between the upper and lower surface

of the leaves. They can be one of the most serious pests of commercial flower crops. Leafmi-

ners may be the larvae of flies, caterpillars of moths or larvae of beetles. Leafminer larvae tun-

nel through the leaves between the upper and lower surface of the leave. In addition to these

tunnels, leaves may appear stippled due to the numerous feeding and oviposition punctures.

Depending on the severity of the infestation, the damage can lead to desiccation and prema-

ture leaf loss. Seedling plants may be totally destroyed.
e. Boring insects

Many boring insects attack the trunk, stems, bark, buds and roots of woody ornamental plants

and trees. Some bore deeply into the wood and others bore just under the bark. The major

groups of boring insects include various beetles and clearwing moths. The primary beetles

include the longhorn beetles, flatheaded borers and the bark or ambrosia beetles. Virtually all

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