Leaves that have a stippled appearance may indicate what type of pest damage?

Leaves exhibiting a stippled appearance are commonly associated with insect feeding damage, particularly from pests such as aphids, spider mites, or leafhoppers. These pests typically feed on the plant's sap or tissues, causing localized damage that results in a mosaic effect on the leaves. The stippling occurs as the insects remove chlorophyll from the leaf, which in turn leads to yellow or white spots against a green background.

Understanding the relationship between insect feeding and leaf appearance is crucial for pest management. Identification of the pest is the next step after noticing this characteristic damage, allowing for appropriate control measures to be implemented. In contrast, other options do not typically present with this specific visual cue: fungal infections may cause lesions or mold, environmental stress usually results in wilting or browning, and root rot primarily affects the roots rather than the visible foliage.