Piercing & Sucking Insects

Unlike chewing insects that have large mandibles designed for cutting or tearing off leaf tissue, the mouth parts of sucking insects are modified to allow for easy piercing of plant tissue, much like a hypodermic needle, and the drawing out or sucking of plant sap. Often these insects are soft body and some may secrete waxy strands of material to conceal and protect themselves from desiccation or predators. Injury caused by sucking insects usually appears as a stippling of leaf tissue and loss of green color. Another symptom of presence of piercing and sucking insects is the appearance of honeydew, a sugary substance often excreted by the insects. Leaf surfaces may often be blackened as a dark sooty mold grows in the honeydew.

Plants infested by piercing and sucking insects suffer damage no only by direct injury to plant tissue but many of these insects are vectors for fungal and viral diseases.

Piercing-Sucking index:
Adelgids, General
Andromeda Lacebug
Aphids, General
Balsam Twig Aphid
Beech Blight Aphid
Boxwood Psyllid
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Frequently Asked Questions
Honeylocust Plantbug

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