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Which of the following is a tree pest with chewing mouthparts?

  1. EAB

  2. Scale

  3. Aphid

  4. Spider Mite

The correct answer is: EAB

The correct answer is EAB, which stands for Emerald Ash Borer. This pest has chewing mouthparts, which it uses to bore into the bark of ash trees and feed on the inner layers. Chewing mouthparts enable the pest to penetrate the tree's tissues and extract nutrients, causing significant damage to the tree. In contrast, scale insects have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to access the sap of plants, while aphids, similar to scales, also possess piercing-sucking mouthparts for feeding on plant fluids. Spider mites, being arachnids, use specialized mouthparts to siphon out cellular contents from plant leaves. Each of these pests engages in a different feeding strategy that does not involve the chewing action characteristic of the Emerald Ash Borer.