Which of the following is a common pest found in horticulture?

Aphids are indeed a common pest found in horticulture, primarily because of their wide distribution and ability to reproduce quickly. They are small, sap-sucking insects that can be found on a wide variety of plants, including flowers, vegetables, and fruit crops. Their feeding habits can lead to significant plant stress, stunted growth, and the potential for the transmission of plant viruses, making them a major concern for gardeners and farmers alike.

One of the challenges with aphids is that they can be present in large populations, often hidden on the undersides of leaves or in new plant growth, which makes detection difficult. Furthermore, they have rapid life cycles and can produce multiple generations in a short time, leading to infestations that can overwhelm plants if not managed promptly. This makes understanding and controlling aphid populations essential for successful horticultural practices.

Even though termites, fleas, and spiders can impact horticultural environments, they do not have the same level of widespread direct agricultural implications compared to aphids. Termites primarily affect wood structures rather than live plants, fleas are typically associated with animal hosts rather than plants, and while some spiders can be beneficial as predators of pests, they are not commonly classified as horticultural pests in the same way aphids are