The two major groups of insects that cause damage to plants via their chewing mouthparts include the caterpillars and beetles . Other chewing insects that are sometimes damaging to plants include grasshoppers, katydids and their relatives.
Caterpillars are the immature or larval stage of moths and butterflies.
Their bodies are usually cylindrical in shape and either slender or robust. However, some are oval and others are flattened. They may be striped , marked with various color patterns or solid in color . They also may be naked , extremely hairy , or possess tufts of hair . Many species of beetles frequently cause injury to woody ornamentals.