Texas Future Farmers of America (FFA) Entomology Career Development Events (CDE) Practice Exam

The German cockroach utilizes a chewing feeding method, which is characterized by its mouthparts designed to bite and grind food. This type of feeding allows the cockroach to consume a variety of organic matter, including decaying plant and animal material. The structure of their mandibles is suited for grinding rather than sucking or siphoning, which aligns with their nutritional needs and survival strategy in environments where food sources may vary.

Insects that employ the piercing-sucking method typically possess specialized mouthparts to penetrate plant or animal tissue and extract fluids, whereas those that utilize a sponging method tend to have mouthparts that can absorb liquid food, like nectar. Siphoning insects, such as butterflies, have a unique adaptation that allows them to feed on liquid food sources through a proboscis. These feeding methods differ fundamentally from the chewing method of the German cockroach, which allows it to efficiently process solid food materials.