Entomology

Question 1

What percentage of insects are considered pests? (cause economic or medical problems)

Answer 1

Less than 1%.

Question 2

How do pest insects generally damage plants?

Answer 2

Directly by removing tissue or fluids, or indirectly by transmitting diseases.

Question 3

Insects that feed on plants are known as…

Answer 3

… herbivores.

Question 4

Insects that eat other insects are known as…

Answer 4

…carnivores.

Question 5

Insects that eat both plant and animal matter are known as…

Answer 5

…omnivores.

Question 6

What benefits do insects provide to the earth’s ecology?

Answer 6

Pollination, Macro Decomposition, Biological Control (e.g., parasitic wasps & predatory beetles), as well as providing a food source for larger animals.

Question 7

Insects comprise what percentage of living organisms on earth?

Answer 7

~50%

Question 8

The concept of using environmentally-friendly control measures first, and then using chemicals as a last resort, is called…

Answer 8

…Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Question 9

The 4 pest management tactics used in IPM are…

Answer 9

…(1) Mechanical; Physical Methods, (2) Cultural Methods, (3) Biological Methods, and (4) Chemical Methods.

Question 10

In IPM, hand removal of insects and eggs is a form of …

Answer 10

Mechanical control.

Question 11

In IPM, water sprays are a form of…

Answer 11

Mechanical control.

Question 12

In IPM, plant guards such as row covers, paper collars, or tin cans around the plant are forms of…

Answer 12

Mechanical control.

Question 13

In IPM, a sticky collar around a tree trunk is a form of…

Answer 13

Mechanical control.

Question 14

In IPM, a mesh that covers a plant is a form of…

Answer 14

Mechanical control.

Question 15

In IPM, a layer of aluminum foil on the soil beneth a plant (repels aphids & leafhoppers), is a form of…

Answer 15

Mechanical control.

Question 16

There are a variety of traps to catch different types of insects. In IPM, these traps are a form of…

Answer 16

Mechanical control.

Question 17

In IPM, using methods to exploit the “weak links” in a pest’s life cycle, are forms of…

Answer 17

…Cultural control.

Question 18

In IPM, crop rotation is a form of…

Answer 18

…Cultural control.

Question 19

In IPM, sanitation, such as removing debris or plant parts (e.g., fruits, stems, etc.) to decrease overwintering and reproduction sites, are forms of…

Answer 19

…Cultural control.

Question 20

In IPM, crop destruction, such as removing dead plant matter, which can eliminate overwintering sites and reduce the spread of infestation, is a form of…

Answer 20

…Cultural control.

Question 21

In IPM, the process of tillage, which reduces the amount of plant matter available to isects, is a form of…

Answer 21

…Cultural control.

Question 22

In IPM, proper irrigation and fertilization, which results in healthy plants, are forms of…

Answer 22

…Cultural control.

Question 23

Overwatering can promote an outbreak of what insect?

Answer 23

Mosquitoes.

Question 24

In IPM, row spacing is a form of…

Answer 24

Cultural control.

Question 25

In IPM, planting diverse and flowering plants, is a form of...

Answer 25

Cultural control.

Question 26

In IPM, planting a sacrificial plant on the boarders of the garden, is a form of...

Answer 26

Cultural control.

Question 27

In IPM, planting varieties that are resistant to common pests and diseases, is a form of...

Answer 27

Cultural control.

Question 28

Plant breeders use 3 approaches to develop 'resistant' cultivars. They are...

Answer 28

(1) Antibiosis: plants that produce defensive compounds as a part of their growth. (2) Antixenosis (nonpreference): Plants that produce physical or chemical properties that are unpalatable to pests. (3) Tolerance: Plants that are better able to tolerate the effects of insect feeding.

Question 29

In IPM, using natural enemies or pathogens against pests is known as:

Answer 29

Biological Methods.

Question 30

Natural enemies to pest insects can include...

Answer 30

...Predators and Parasitoids

Question 31

In IPM, using a microbial insecticide, which contains microorganisms the surpress certain pests, is known as...

Answer 31

...a biological method.

Question 32

One of the most popular microbial insecticides is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which has what results?

Answer 32

It disrupts the insect gut with harmful bacteria.

Question 33

In IPM, the use of chemical pesticides is known as...

Answer 33

...Chemical Methods.

Question 34

What are three (3) disadvantages of using chemical pesticides?

Answer 34

(1) the development of pest resistance to the chemical, (2) resurgence of the insect population due to developed resistance, and (3) the destruction of natural enemies to the pest and the destruction of pollinators.

Question 35

In IPM, the decision to spray with chemical insecticides is reached when the pest is so numerous that an unacceptable level of damage is caused. This is called...

Answer 35

... the Economic Threshold.

Question 36

In home gardens the concept of an economic threshold is not a standard measure. What is generally used instead?

Answer 36

In home gardens the decision to spray chemicals is generally an ARBITRARY level. Each gardener has a level of plant damage they are willing to accept.

Question 37

"Traditional" insecticides are generally...

Answer 37

...broad spectrum and very toxic.

Question 38

"Soft" insecticides are ones that...

Answer 38

...are narrow spectrum, usually targeting on specific pests, and they are not "persistent" in that they break down quickly in the environment.

Question 39

What is the key to using any insecticide?

Answer 39

Knowing WHAT to spray and WHEN to spray it.

Question 40

Why is it important to alternate what insecticide sprays you are using?

Answer 40

To avoid developing resistance to the spray.

Question 41

What is meant by saying that different insecticides have different modes of action?

Answer 41

It means that they bring about insect death in different ways.

Question 42

What is the best source of insecticide information regarding mixture ratios, application rates, pre-harvest intervals, and appropriate protective equipment?

Answer 42

The product label.

Question 43

What is the 'best' overall strategy to produce long-lasting solutions to pest problems?

Answer 43

Plant resistant and tolerant varieties.

Question 44

What is the difference between a parasitic and a predatory insect?

Answer 44

A parasitic insect lays its eggs inside another insect or its eggs. A predatory insect eats it prey.

Question 45

What are two types of insect metamorphosis?

Answer 45

Simple and complete metamorphosis.

Question 46

What is 'simple' metamorphosis?

Answer 46

A three (3) stage process where the insect changes from an egg to a nymph, and finally to an adult. Nymphs molt 3 to 7 times and look like wingless versions of the adult.

Question 47

What is 'complete' metamorphosis?

Answer 47

A four (4) stage process where the insect changes from an egg, to a larva, to a pupa to and adult. Larvae typically look very different from the adult.

Question 48

Identify This Image

Answer 48

Spotted Asparagus Beetle (Adult) (*Crioceris Asparagi*) 2-3 generations per year Overwinters as an adult Eggs are brown and laid on end in rows Larvae & Adults feed on spears & ferns

Question 49

Name This Insect