Which insects are classified as surface feeders?

Surface feeders are insects that primarily feed on the aboveground parts of plants, particularly on the leaf surfaces and stems. Chinch bugs and cutworms are examples of such insects. Chinch bugs suck plant juices from grass blades, causing yellowing and eventually death of the grass, while cutworms typically feed at the base of the plants. Both of these insects interact with the turfgrass at the surface level, making them classic examples of surface feeders.

The other classifications of insects do not fall under the category of surface feeders. For instance, insects that burrow underground or those that feed on roots interact with plant systems below the soil surface, which is not characteristic of surface feeding. Similarly, insects that are dormant during winter are not feeding at all, hence wouldn't be classified under this feeding type. Understanding these distinctions can help in implementing appropriate pest management strategies for controlling surface-feeding insects effectively.