Which of the following pest groups does not have sucking mouthparts?

Sawflies belong to a group of insects known specifically for their chewing mouthparts, which distinguishes them from other pest groups that utilize sucking mouthparts. This characteristic is essential for how these insects feed and interact with their environment. Chewing mouthparts allow sawflies to consume plant material by biting and grinding, making them part of a different feeding mechanism compared to whiteflies, thrips, and aphids, all of which have adaptations for sucking fluids from plants.

While whiteflies, thrips, and aphids employ a specialized feeding style that involves piercing plant tissues to extract sap or fluids, sawflies do not engage in this behavior. This is a significant factor in pest management because their methods of feeding affect the type of damage they inflict on plants and the strategies that might be used to control them. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective pest identification and management practices.