Which insect order is known for sucking juices from plant cells?

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The insect order known for sucking juices from plant cells is Homoptera. This order includes various insects such as aphids, mealybugs, and scales, which have specialized mouthparts called stylets. These stylets allow them to penetrate plant tissues and access the sap, which is rich in nutrients. This feeding behavior can lead to significant damage to plants since the insects not only extract vital fluids, but they may also introduce pathogens, leading to diseases in the host plants.

Other orders listed in the question typically do not share this characteristic feeding style. For instance, Orthoptera includes grasshoppers and crickets, which primarily chew plant material rather than suck juices. Thysanoptera, known as thrips, does have some species that feed on plant tissues, but they are not as well-defined in their sap-sucking behavior as Homoptera. Coleoptera, encompassing beetles, generally have chewing mouthparts for consuming plant or detritus material as well. Thus, Homoptera is distinctly recognized in entomology for its sap-sucking behavior, making it the correct answer to this question.

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