1st edit your post and resize your picture. yes that is the main pickup, above the plate are a series of small holes, these are the intake, when in reverse. will not hurt to clean it out. do not damage screen.
From the looks of it, you might break the two screws holding it. If they don't come out resonably easy, don't mess with it, it isn't worth it. Personally, I've never seen one plugged up inside--and I've seen multi-hundreds of them.
