Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which insect creates trails between leaf surfaces?

1. Spider mites

2. Aphids

3. Leaf miners

4. Thrips

The correct answer is: Leaf miners

The correct choice is leaf miners, as these insects are known to create distinctive trails or tunnels between the upper and lower surfaces of leaves. Leaf miners are larvae of various insects, including certain flies and moths, that burrow into the leaf tissue to feed while leaving behind a visible trail or path. This tunneling not only damages the leaf but can also affect the overall health of the plant by limiting its ability to photosynthesize effectively. Spider mites, while problematic pests, do not create trails between leaf surfaces; instead, they typically create fine webs or concentrate on the undersides of leaves. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap but do not create trails; they may leave behind sticky residues on plants. Thrips are slender insects that can damage foliage by feeding on it, but they do not produce the distinctive trails associated with leaf miners. Understanding the specific feeding habits of these pests is essential for proper identification and management in nursery and landscape settings.