Texas FFA Entomology CDE Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The sweet potato weevil employs a chewing feeding method, which involves the insect using its mouthparts to gnaw on plant tissues. This method is characteristic of many beetles and weevils, where their mandibles are adapted for biting and grinding plant material. In the case of the sweet potato weevil, their feeding behavior primarily damages the sweet potato tubers, leading to significant agricultural losses.

The chewing method allows the weevil to extract nutrients from the plant as it breaks down the structure of the tuber, which can lead to decay and disease. This feeding strategy not only affects the health of the sweet potato but can also impact yield in commercial farming contexts.

Understanding the specific feeding methods of pests like the sweet potato weevil is crucial for developing effective management and control strategies, as it influences the choice of pesticides and other methods of pest control that will be most effective.