What insect pest on cotton makes a reddish or yellow speckling on the leaves?

The insect pest that causes reddish or yellow speckling on cotton leaves is spider mites. These pests are particularly problematic in warm, dry conditions, where they thrive and reproduce rapidly. As spider mites feed on the plant sap, they inject saliva that can lead to a variety of symptoms including discoloration of the leaves.

The speckling results from chlorosis, where the green chlorophyll is broken down, creating a mottled appearance. This damage can reduce the plant's overall health by affecting its ability to photosynthesize effectively. Additionally, as spider mites multiply, they can cover the leaves with fine webbing, causing further stress to the plant.

In contrast, other options like stink bugs and loopers typically cause different types of damage. Stink bugs feed by piercing the plant tissue and sucking sap, leading to visible damage but not the characteristic speckling associated with spider mites. Loopers are caterpillars that primarily cause defoliation through their feeding behavior, often chewing larger holes in the foliage rather than creating speckled patterns. Blackflies, on the other hand, usually target the underside of leaves and may cause some damage, but their impact is not characterized by the leaf speckling that spider mites produce. This distinct identification is