What is one major concern beyond feeding damage caused by aphids?

What is one major concern beyond feeding damage caused by aphids?

• A. Virus transmission
• B. Soil contamination
• C. Attracting beneficial insects
• D. Reduced flowering

Answer: (A)

Aphids are vectors for plant viruses, so their feeding can spread infections from one plant to another. When an aphid feeds on an infected plant, it can acquire a virus and then pass it to healthy plants during subsequent feeds. The resulting virus symptoms—mottled or distorted leaves, stunting, and reduced vigor—can affect many plants quickly and often cause more lasting damage than the sap-sucking itself. This makes virus transmission a major concern beyond feeding damage. Soil contamination isn’t a consequence of aphid activity; it relates to pesticide residues in the soil. Attracting beneficial insects is generally favorable and helps with pest control, not a problem. Reduced flowering can occur from stress but isn’t as universally or severely impactful as virus transmission through viral spread by aphids.

Aphids are vectors for plant viruses, so their feeding can spread infections from one plant to another. When an aphid feeds on an infected plant, it can acquire a virus and then pass it to healthy plants during subsequent feeds. The resulting virus symptoms—mottled or distorted leaves, stunting, and reduced vigor—can affect many plants quickly and often cause more lasting damage than the sap-sucking itself. This makes virus transmission a major concern beyond feeding damage.

Soil contamination isn’t a consequence of aphid activity; it relates to pesticide residues in the soil. Attracting beneficial insects is generally favorable and helps with pest control, not a problem. Reduced flowering can occur from stress but isn’t as universally or severely impactful as virus transmission through viral spread by aphids.