In addition to economic injury, what other harms can insects and mites cause?

• A. Aesthetic damage to ornamentals and turf.
• B. They improve pollination.
• C. They improve soil quality.
• D. They reduce rainfall.

Answer: (A)

In addition to economic injury, insects and mites can cause aesthetic damage to ornamentals and turf. This means their feeding and feeding cues make plants look unhealthy or unattractive, which matters in landscaping and lawn care just as much as yield loss. You might see stippling or bronzing on leaves, curling or scorching, surface scars, or visible webbing and residue on plants. In turf, pests can cause thinning, uneven color, and bare patches. Even when the plants aren’t significantly dying or producing less, the impaired appearance reduces landscape value and homeowner or client satisfaction.

The other options don’t fit because they describe benefits or effects that aren’t the kind of harm pests are known for in this context. While some insects pollinate plants, pests aren’t there to improve pollination. They don’t typically improve soil quality, and they don’t influence natural phenomena like rainfall.