How do root borers damage plants?

Root borers primarily damage plants by eating or hollowing out plant roots and crowns. This feeding behavior directly impacts the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, leading to weakened growth, reduced vigor, and in severe cases, plant death. Root borers can create extensive damage underground, making their presence less visible until the plant shows signs of stress, such as wilting, stunted growth, and overall decline.

The other choices do not reflect the behavior of root borers. Feeding on leaves pertains more to pests that are leaf-eating insects like caterpillars or beetles. Breaking stems is also associated with different types of pests or environmental damage rather than root borers. Spreading disease usually involves pathogens or vectors such as aphids or beetles, rather than root borers, which specifically target the root systems.