What damage do cabbage aphids cause?

What damage do cabbage aphids cause?

• A. They primarily feed on other insects.
• B. They feed on plant sap, weakening plants and potentially transmitting diseases.
• C. They only feed on roots without affecting leaves.
• D. They improve plant health by aerating the soil.

Answer: (B)

Cabbage aphids damage plants mainly by feeding on sap. They insert their mouthparts into the phloem and withdraw plant fluids, which weakens the plant, slows growth, and can cause symptoms like yellowing and leaf curling or stunting in young plants. Their feeding also leaves honeydew, which can foster sooty mold and reduce photosynthesis. An important consequence is their potential to transmit plant viruses as they move from plant to plant. So, sap-sucking that weakens the plant and the possibility of disease transmission best captures the damage these aphids cause. Other descriptions don’t fit their feeding behavior or the resulting plant effects.