What symptom might indicate plant damage associated with sap-feeding insects?

Prepare for the Louisiana Arborist Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready with ease!

Distorted leaves or shoots are a significant symptom indicating plant damage associated with sap-feeding insects. These insects, such as aphids, scale insects, and whiteflies, feed on the plant's sap, disrupting its normal growth process. This feeding can lead to abnormal leaf shape, curling, or stunted growth, which results in the distortion observed. The plant's physiological response to the loss of sap, combined with potential disease transmission and stress from the feeding behavior, ultimately manifests in these characteristic distortions.

In contrast, the other options represent different types of plant damage. Leaves that have been skeletonized typically indicate feeding by leaf cutters or certain beetles, while leaf miners or blotches often signal the presence of larvae that burrow into the leaf tissue. Lastly, webs or tents in the tree usually suggest the activity of web-spinning caterpillars or spider mites, which create silk structures for protection. Each of these symptoms points to distinct damage mechanisms unrelated to the specific effects caused by sap-feeding insects.

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