Most insect damage in flower and vegetable gardens occurs when the insect is:

• A. Laying eggs
• B. Overwintering
• C. Feeding
• D. Pupating

Answer: (C)

When insects are actively feeding, they are removing tissue or sucking sap, which is what causes visible damage to flowers and vegetables. The other life stages—eggs, overwintering adults, and pupae—are largely non-feeding. Eggs are laid and simply hatch later; overwintering insects are dormant or inactive through cold months; pupating insects are metamorphosing and not eating. Because feeding is the stage where tissue loss and injury actually occur, that’s when most garden damage appears. For example, caterpillars or beetles chewing leaves create holes and ragged edges, while aphids or other sap-suckers cause curling, stippling, or wilting.