Which of the following insects does not have sucking mouthparts?

The alfalfa weevil is an insect that does not possess sucking mouthparts. Instead, it has chewing mouthparts, which are typical of insects that feed on plant tissue by biting and chewing. This feeding method allows the alfalfa weevil to consume leaves, which can lead to significant damage in alfalfa crops, especially during the larval stage.

In contrast, both leafhoppers and spider mites have specialized mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking sap from plants. Leafhoppers use their needle-like mouthparts to extract plant fluids, which can weaken the plant and cause stress or disease transmission. Spider mites, although technically arachnids and not insects, also utilize similar sucking mouthparts for a similar feeding approach.

Flea beetles, while also having chewing mouthparts like the alfalfa weevil, are primarily recognized for their jumping behavior and can cause leaf damage by creating small holes, but they are distinct from the feeding strategy of sucking insects.

Understanding the distinction between chewing and sucking mouthparts is essential in pest management because it helps identify the appropriate control strategies for each pest type.