Which type of insect is NOT considered a leaf feeder on ornamentals?

Grasshoppers are not typically classified as leaf feeders on ornamentals. While they do consume plant material, their feeding habits often involve chewing through stems, flowers, or leaves, which may not exclusively categorize them as leaf feeders. Their wider diet means they may also be found feeding on grasses and other herbaceous plants, hence they are considered more generalist feeders rather than focusing solely on the leaves of ornamentals.

In contrast, beetles, sawflies, and caterpillars are all known for their specific feeding habits when it comes to foliage. Beetles often consume leaves entirely, leaving behind skeletonized structures; sawflies typically feed on the edges and underside of leaves; and caterpillars are well-known for their leaf-eating habits, often consuming large portions of the foliage. This distinction between general feeding behavior and specific leaf-feeding traits helps clarify why grasshoppers are not categorized alongside the others.