Which of the following is an example of a chewing insect?

Grasshoppers are classified as chewing insects because they possess mandibles designed for biting and grinding plant material. This adaptation allows them to feed on a variety of vegetation, including leaves, stems, and other plant parts. Their feeding behavior typically results in visible damage to plants, such as holes in leaves or notches along the edges, making them easily identifiable as chewing insects.

In contrast, mealybugs and aphids are categorized as piercing-sucking insects. They use specialized mouthparts to penetrate plant tissues and extract sap, leading to different types of plant damage, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth. Whiteflies also fall into the same category, employing a similar feeding method that disrupts the plant’s ability to thrive but does not involve chewing in the same manner as grasshoppers. This distinction in feeding mechanisms is crucial for identifying pest types and understanding their impact on ornamental and turf plants.