CORE Test

Question 1

Explain the difference between key pests, occasional pests and secondary pests

Answer 1

Key pests are nearly always present and require regular control. occasional pests are migratory or cyclical and require intermittent control. secondary pests require control only under certain conditions, such as the elimination of a key pest or the absence of a natural host.

Question 2

What should you do first if you see damage to a plant, animal, or valuable product?

Answer 2

Identify the cause

Question 3

What should you do first if you discover a pest that may need to be controlled?

Answer 3

Make sure the pest is actually responsible for the damage. then accurately identify the pest

Question 4

How can pest identification help you develop a good pest control strategy?

Answer 4

It allows you to determine basic information about the pest, including its life-cycle and when it is most susceptible to control measures.

Question 5

Name the 5 basic pest groups

Answer 5

weeds
parasites and diseases
mollusks
arthropods
vertebrates

Question 6

What is groundwater and why is it important?

Answer 6

Water located beneath the earths surface, usually in rock and soil. this water is used in wells and household irrigation

Question 7

Explain how the solubility, adsorption, and persistence of a pesticide affect its ability to move offsite in water

Answer 7

-solubility- some pesticides dissolve easily in water

-adsorption- some pesticides become tightly attached to soil particles. they will move with eroded soil.

-persistence- some pesticides break down slowly and remain in the environment for a long time.

Question 8

what weather factors influence pesticide drift?

Answer 8

strong winds or gusts
low RH
high temps
temp inversions

Question 9

what application factors influence pesticide drift?

Answer 9

droplet or particle size
height and direction of release

both determined by applicator decisions

Question 10

How can volatility contribute to drift?

Answer 10

in vapor form, a pesticide can move great distances and injure sensitive plants and animals. volatility may also contribute to illegal residues

Question 11

Which factors influence whether a pesticide will drift?

Answer 11

the weight and density of dry particle applied
whether adjuvants were used in liquid sprays
whether the pesticide tends to form vapors

Question 12

How do illegal pesticide residues often occur?

Answer 12

too much pesticide is applied
the PHI is ignored
move off site and contaminate plants or animals nearby
sprayed off-labeled, on a site not permitted by the label

Question 13

List three ways in which pesticides can move off site.

Answer 13

1. in air- wind or air currents
2. water- runoff or leaching
3. objects- soil, plants, animals, humans

Question 14

What is the difference between ‘point source’ and a ‘nonpoint source’ pesticide pollution?

Answer 14

Point source pollution comes from a specific identifiable place or point. ex. a pesticide spill that moves into a storm drain.

Nonpoint source pollution comes from a wider area. ex. the movement of pesticides into streams after a broadcast application.

Question 15

What are sensitive areas that need extra protection from pesticides?

Answer 15

sites or living things within an environment that re vulnerable to pesticide injury. ex..
1. places where pesticide might get into ground or surface water
2. near homes, schools, playgrounds, hospitals, and other public areas
3. animals- endangered species, bees, wildlife, livestock and pets.
4. food or feed is stored

Question 16

Sites or living things within an environment that re vulnerable to pesticide injury. ex..

Answer 16

1. places where pesticide might get into ground or surface water
2. near homes, schools, playgrounds, hospitals, and other public areas
3. animals- endangered species, bees, wildlife, livestock and pets.
4. food or feed is stored

Question 17

What is the difference between a surfactant and an adjuvant?

Answer 17

an adjuvant is a chemical that affects how a pesticide works. it can be any substance added to modify properties of a pesticide formulation.

a surfactant is a specific kind of adjuvant. it affects the dispersing, spreading, or wetting properties of spray droplets.

Question 18

What concentration of active ingredient would you expect to find in the label : Alpha 40 WP?

Answer 18

40% ai

Question 19

How do you know if 2 pesticides can be safely tank mixed?

Answer 19

Read the label. if not in the label, mix a small amount in a jar and look for incompatibility signs

Question 20

Why must pesticides be compatible if they are tank mixed?

Answer 20

because a mixture that is not compatible may be unusable, unsafe, or ineffective. incompatibility occurs when one component within a tank mix reacts with or adversely affects another.

Question 21

What are fumigants? Why are they dangerous?

Answer 21

Pesticides that form poisonous gasses when applied. They are toxic to a wide range of pests and can be used at many different sites. They are highly toxic to humans and all other organisms. High inhalation exposure risk

Question 22

what is the general term for a pesticide AI formulated with food or another attractive substance?

Answer 22

Bait

Question 23

what is the term for a wettable powder formulation that has been compressed into granule-sized particles?

Answer 23

Dry flowable (DF) or water-dispersible granule (WDG)

Question 24

Name at least 2 disadvantages of Wettable Powders?

Answer 24

1. not easy to measure
2. inhalation hazard to applicator while mixing and measuring

Question 25

wettable powders are widely used pesticide formulations. why? many advantages:

Answer 25

1. effective for most pest problems and in most types of spray equipment 2. excellent residual activity 3. easy to store, transport, and handle 4. less likely than ECs to harm treated plants/animals 5. usually not phytotoxic 6. pose less risk of skin and eye absorption

Question 26

Which dry formulation consists of particles that are more or less uniform in size, shape, and weight?

Answer 26

Pellet

Question 27

name at least one advantage and one disadvantage of concentrate solution (C, LC, or WSC/WSL) formulations.

Answer 27

adv: do not clog hoses or nozzles dis: easily absorbed through skin

Question 28

name at least one advantage and one disadvantage of ready-to-use (RTU) formulations.

Answer 28

adv: convenience- no measuring or pouring dis: high cost/unit of ai

Question 29

name at least one advantage and one disadvantage of emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations.

Answer 29

adv: little agitation required dis: may damage treated plants/animals

Question 30

name at least one advantage and one disadvantage of granule (G) and pellet (P) formulations.

Answer 30

adv: low drift hazard bc of large particle size dis: uniform application hard to achieve

Question 31

why do weeds present such a challenge to pest managers?

Answer 31

weeds are often hardy, aggressive, and tolerant of harsh conditions. many produce large numbers of seeds which can spread over a wide area and remain dormant for a long time.

Question 32

how can you tell a monocot from a dicot?

Answer 32

monocots (sedges and grasses) have one cotyledon, parallel leaf veins, flower parts in multiples of 3 and fibrous roots. Dicots have 2 cotyledons, broad leaves with netted veination, and flower parts in multiples of 4 and 5 and usually have taproots.

Question 33

name the pathogens that cause most plant and animal diseases

Answer 33

fungi, bacteria, mycoplasma, and viruses

Question 34

how do plant parasitic nematodes harm plants?

Answer 34

by attacking the roots, stems and leaves. nematode root feeding interferes with a plants ability to take up water and nutrients. infected plants wilt and seem to be suffering from a lack of water or nutrients.

Question 35

What are the symptoms of viral plant diseases?

Answer 35

stunting, yellow rings on leaves, wilting, and mosaic patterns

Question 36

What formulation is a concentrate that may approach 100% Active Ingredient?

Answer 36

ultra-low volume (ULV) these concentrates are designed to be used as is or diluted with only a small quantities of solvents

Question 37

What are invert emulsions?

Answer 37

thick mixtures that contain a water-soluble pesticide dispersed in an oil carrier. these products require a special kind of emulsifier that allows the pesticide to be mixed with a large volume of petroleum carrier, usually fuel oil. they are most often used for weed control on rights-of-ways.

Question 38

What are aerosols?

Answer 38

formulations that contain one or more AI and a solvent. most contain a low percentage of AI. the 2 types are ready-to-use and those designed for smoke or fog generators

Question 39

Explain the meaning of the statement: " it is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling."

Answer 39

It is illegal to use the pesticide in any way not permitted by the labeling. you must follow ALL directions for use, including safety, mixing, diluting, storage, and disposal. you may not use higher doses or more frequently than the label allows. also, you must wear the required PPE.

Question 40

What is the term used for a mixture made by suspending droplets of one liquid in another?

Answer 40

Emulsion: each ingredient retains its unique properties and identity. emulsions have a milky appearance. (E or EC)

Question 41

What is the term used to describe a mixture formed by dispersing solid particles in a liquid?

Answer 41

Suspension. suspensions contain fine solid particles, which do not dissolve in the liquid carrier. these must be agitated to maintain even particle distribution.

Question 42

What is the difference between active and inert ingredients?

Answer 42

Active ingredients are the chemicals that control the pests

Question 43

What is a pesticide formulation?

Answer 43

The mixture of active ingredient and inert ingredients that forms an end-use pesticide product. a formulated pesticide will contain both an active ingredient to control the target pest and a carrier or diluent. many also contain adjuvants and other ingredients such as stabilizers or dyes.

Question 44

What is a pesticide formulation?

Answer 44

The mixture of active ingredient and inert ingredients that forms an end-use pesticide product. a formulated pesticide will contain both an active ingredient to control the target pest and a carrier or diluent. many also contain adjuvants and other ingredients such as stabilizers or dyes.

Question 45

When and why might you use a MSDS for a pesticide product?

Answer 45

To get technical information about the environmental and human health effects of a pesticide product. you could also consult an msds to find out how to respond to an accident or incident

Question 46

What is FIFRA?

Answer 46

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1947. FIFRA regulates the registration, manufacture, sale, transportation, and use of pesticides. it specifies how they must be registered and used, the required training and certification of applicators, and the classification of RUPs

Question 47

if you transfer a pesticide (concentrate or diluted) into another container, do you have to label the secondary container?

Answer 47

YES!

Question 48

name and explain the signal words you see on a pesticide label

Answer 48

DANGER-POISON: skull and cross bones- appears on highly toxic pesticides. acute illness DANGER: highly toxic ex. skin irritant WARNING: moderately toxic CAUTION: slightly toxic

Question 49

how do mollusks harm plants?

Answer 49

by feeding on foliage and fruit. mollusks reduce the value of commercial produce if they feed on harvested plants and fruit.

Question 50

what is the difference between the chemical name, common name, and trade name? which is the most accurate identify the active ingredient?

Answer 50

chemical name is a complex term that identifies the chemical components and structure of a pesticide. common name is a shorter name that EPA recognizes as a substitute for the chemical name. best identifier.--ex. glyphosate a tradename is used by a chemical company to identify the product--- ex. round up

Question 51

what is a restricted use pesticide?

Answer 51

RUPs are pesticides that require special care and handling. the restricted use designation limits the use of a pesticide product. RUPs are for sale only to properly certified applicators. only trained persons, or people under their direct supervision, may handle and apply RUPs. EPA classifies pesticides RUPs for different reasons. Some are highly toxic to humans. others may cause long-term health effects. still others are restricted because of an environmental effect such as ground water pollution.

Question 52

what are emergency (section 18) exemptions?

Answer 52

responses to pest problems for which no pesticides are registered. section 18 exemptions allow the sale and use of a certain pesticide for a specific nonregistered purpose for a specified period. the four types of emergency exemptions are: specific, quarantine, public health, and crisis.

Question 53

are minimum risk products exempt from Virginia's state registration requirements?

Answer 53

no. all pesticides that are sold or used in the Commonwealth of Virginia must be registered with VDACS office of pesticide services.

Question 54

under what conditions may a pesticide be labeled "minimum risk" and thus be exempt form federal regulations? how do labels of minimum-risk Section 25(b) products differ from those that are EPA registered (section 3)?

Answer 54

EPA has produced a list of minimal risk active and inert ingredients. to be exempt, all of the active and inert ingredients in a pesticide product must be on this list.

Question 55

true or false: ALL pesticide products must be registered with EPA. This agency reviews the labels of ALL pesticide products sold in the US

Answer 55

False. Minimum risk pesticides are exempt from the federal registration process.

Question 56

what is a tolerance

Answer 56

the max amount of pesticide residue that may remain on food or reed at harvest or slaughter. tolerance levels are set by EPA. observing tolerances is crucial in ensuring food safety.

Question 57

what is a federal Section 3 registration?

Answer 57

an EPA registered product with a label reviewed and approved by that federal agency. Most pesticides are registered this way. these have an EPA registration number

Question 58

when and why may a pesticide product be registered for a Special Local Need SLN?

Answer 58

if a manufacturer wants to register a pesticide for use only on a regional crop or to manage a localized pest problem. SLN registrations allow states to expand or limit the uses of federally registered pesticides within their jurisdictions.

Question 59

explain the difference between the words "label" and "labeling" The

Answer 59

label is the information printed on tor attached to the pesticide container. labeling includes the label itself, plus all other info recieved from the manufacturer about the product

Question 60

what is registration of a pesticide?

Answer 60

the ongoing review of a registered pesticide to assess the risks and benefits associated with its labeled uses. the goal of registration is to identify and reduce risks, based on current scientific knowledge

Question 61

how could you prevent a pest infestation?

Answer 61

plant weed- and disease- free seed, choose plants resistant to diseases and insects, and practice good sanitation. other preventative techniques include excluding pests from the target area and using pre-emergent herbicides to kill weed seeds.

Question 62

how can you slow down or limit pesticide resistance?

Answer 62

1. rotate MOAs 2. use pesticides that target multiple sites in a pest 3. use new or altered pesticides 4. treat alternate generations of pests 5. use non chemical control methods where feasible

Question 63

define pesticide resistance

Answer 63

the ability of a pest population that is repeatedly exposed to a given pesticide to resist and survive its effects. an insect population, for example, often has "abnormal" members that can tolerate exposure to insecticide doses that kill "normal" members. Each time the same MOA is used, the susceptible members die, and the resistant members survive and breed. in time most of the members will be resistant to the insecticide.

Question 64

what is the difference between residual and non residual pesticides?

Answer 64

nonresidual pesticides break down quickly into nontoxic by-products. a residual pesticide may remain active for weeks, months, or even years

Question 65

what is the difference between selective and non selective herbicides?

Answer 65

a selective herbicide controls some plants and not others (ex. sethoxydim only controls grasses and not broadleaf) non selective controls all types of plants.

Question 66

Name 5 important qualities to consider when choosing a pesticide:

Answer 66

Efficiency Persistence Mobility Toxicity Mode of Action

Question 67

what is physical control and how can it be used to manage certain pests?

Answer 67

changing certain environmental conditions such as water, air movement, temperature, light and humidity. such changes can control or even eradicate pests.

Question 68

what type of mechanical methods could you use to control weeds?

Answer 68

weed eaters, shovels, scythes, plows, disks, and mowers

Question 69

what is sanitation?

Answer 69

use of hygiene practices to manage pests.

Question 70

name at least 6 cultural practices used to manage pests

Answer 70

pruning, thinning and fertilization rotating crops tillage mulching varying time of planting or harvest trap crops adjusting row width

Question 71

briefly define IPM Integrated Pest Management is an ecological approach to pest control.

Answer 71

it is based on the habitat and life-cycle of the pest. IPM combines chemical and nonchemical methods into a single plan or strategy. the goal of an IPM program is to reduce pest populations to an acceptable level in a way that is practical, cost-effective, and safe for the environment as well as human health.

Question 72

what is cultural control?

Answer 72

changing the habitat where the pest flourishes. ex. cultural practices and sanitation

Question 73

what is biological control?

Answer 73

the use of living organisms to control pests. these may be natural enemies or biologically altering the pest (releasing sterile males into pest population)

Question 74

what is host resistance?

Answer 74

the ability of a plant to withstand pests

Question 75

Name 5 IPM elements host resistance:

Answer 75

Biological control Cultural control Mechanical Physical control Chemical control

Question 76

Name at least 10 basic steps in an effective IPM program

Answer 76

1. Identify pest 2. Monitor the pest 3. Decide whether control is justified 4. Determine a pest control goal 5. Know what control tactics are available 6. Evaluate the benefits and risks of each tactic 7. Choose the most effective strategies that will cause the least harm to people and environment 8. Use each tactic correctly 9. Observe all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. 10. Record and evaluate results

Question 77

Give several reasons to use IPM rather than using only a pesticide. IPM programs:

Answer 77

1. often ensure better success at the treatment site 2. promote a more balanced ecosystem and are more environmentally friendly 3. are less likely to lead to pesticide resistance and secondary pest outbreaks 4. may reduce pesticide use and can help protect beneficial insects 5. are often more acceptable to the public.

Question 78

what are arthropods? how do they differ from vertebrates?

Answer 78

arthropods are animals with segmented bodies and jointed appendages. Arthropods have an external skeleton and may have specialized appendages such as sucking tubes, chewing mouth parts, antennae, and pincers. they have no backbones like vertebrates

Question 79

what is the difference between prevention, suppression and eradication of a pest?

Answer 79

prevention means reducing the chances that a pest will become a problem. suppression means reducing pest numbers or damage to an acceptable level. Eradication means destroying an entire pest population.

Question 80

what is monitoring and how is it important to a sound pest control strategy?

Answer 80

regular checking or scouting for pests in a designated area. Monitoring will tell you what pests are in an area, how many are in the area, and how much damage they are causing. it will help determine if the pest population has reached the treatment threshold and whether control measures have worked.

Question 81

how are thresholds important to a sound pest control strategy?

Answer 81

setting a treatment or action threshold is essential to prevent the pests in an area from causing unacceptable injury or harm. action thresholds vary: sometimes one pest is too many (like a rat in a food processing facility). Thresholds help producers and applicators weigh the cost of pest control against the cost of a pest infestation

Question 82

how do mites harm plants?

Answer 82

They suck the plant juices, eat the underside of leaves, and disfigure the plants they feed on.

Question 83

what are beneficial insects? and why are they important to agriculture?

Answer 83

insects that are pollinators (bees and butterflies) or pest predators (ladybeetles and lacewings). with out pollinators many types of plants could not reproduce and beneficial predators feed on harmful insects, mites, and weeds.

Question 84

why is it important to know the life cycle stage of an insect?

Answer 84

it is very important to recognize the damaging stage for best treatment results. many insect are pests in one stage but not another. especially larval form.

Question 85

what is the difference between gradual and complete metamorphosis?

Answer 85

gradual metamorphosis includes 3 stages: egg, nymph and adult. there is no pupa stage. complete metamorphosis includes 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. insects that develop via complete metamorphosis change body form. larvae may not look at all like adults within the same species.

Question 86

what is an economic threshold?

Answer 86

the level at which economic losses caused by pest damage, if the pest population continued to grow, would be greater than the cost of controlling the pests. reaching an economic threshold usually prompts some kind of pest control action.

Question 87

name at least one advantage and one disadvantage of dust (D) formulations.

Answer 87

adv: usually ready to use dis: easily drift off target