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Biological pest control utilizes organisms like predators and parasitoids to manage pests such as insects, mites, weeds, and pathogens.
Answer: True
Biological pest control, also known as biocontrol, is a method of managing pests by employing other organisms, leveraging natural mechanisms such as predation, parasitism, herbivory, or competition within integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks.
The term 'biological control' was first introduced by entomologist Paul H. DeBach.
Answer: False
The term 'biological control' was first introduced by Harry Scott Smith in 1919, not Paul H. DeBach, although DeBach did significantly popularize the concept.
The earliest documented use of biological control involved using ants to manage pests in ancient Rome around 100 AD.
Answer: False
The earliest documented use of biological control, as described in the source, involved ants managing citrus pests in ancient China around 304 AD, not in ancient Rome around 100 AD.
Modern biological control techniques began to emerge in the early 1900s.
Answer: False
Modern biological control techniques began to emerge in the 1870s, not the early 1900s, marking a shift towards more systematic approaches.
Which of the following best describes biological pest control?
Answer: Managing pests by utilizing other organisms like predators and parasitoids.
Biological pest control is defined as the management of pests through the utilization of other organisms, such as predators, parasitoids, or pathogens, leveraging natural ecological processes.
Who is credited with first coining the term 'biological control'?
Answer: Harry Scott Smith
The term 'biological control' was first introduced by entomologist Harry Scott Smith in 1919.
According to the source, what is the earliest documented instance of biological pest control?
Answer: The use of ants to control citrus pests in China around 304 AD.
The earliest documented instance of biological pest control involved the use of ants to manage citrus pests in ancient China around 304 AD.
Classical biological control involves releasing large populations of natural enemies to achieve rapid pest reduction.
Answer: False
This statement incorrectly describes classical biological control. Releasing large populations of natural enemies for rapid pest reduction is characteristic of inundative releases, a form of augmentation biological control, not classical biological control, which focuses on introducing natural enemies from the pest's native habitat.
Conservation biological control aims to introduce natural enemies from a pest's native habitat to a new location.
Answer: False
This statement describes classical biological control. Conservation biological control focuses on protecting and enhancing existing populations of natural enemies through habitat management and resource provision.
For successful classical biological control, an agent must be able to colonize new areas and maintain its population even when the target pest is scarce.
Answer: True
For successful classical biological control, an agent must possess the capacity to colonize new environments and sustain its population over time, even when the target pest population fluctuates or is temporarily scarce.
Augmentation in biological pest control refers to protecting and enhancing existing populations of natural enemies.
Answer: False
This statement describes conservation biological control. Augmentation biological control involves supplementing existing natural enemy populations through releases, either inoculatively or inundatively.
Inundative releases involve small, frequent releases of natural enemies for long-term control.
Answer: False
Inundative releases involve releasing large numbers of natural enemies to achieve rapid pest reduction, whereas inoculative releases involve small, frequent releases intended for long-term establishment and control.
What are the three fundamental strategies of biological pest control?
Answer: Classical, Augmentation, and Conservation
The three fundamental strategies of biological pest control are Classical (or importation), Augmentation (which includes inoculative and inundative releases), and Conservation.
Which strategy involves introducing a pest's natural enemy from its native habitat to a new environment?
Answer: Classical biological control
Classical biological control involves introducing a pest's natural enemy from its native habitat to a new environment where the pest is problematic.
What is a key characteristic required for an effective imported biological control agent, according to the source?
Answer: Ability to colonize new areas and maintain populations over time.
An effective imported biological control agent must be capable of colonizing new areas and sustaining its population over time, even when the target pest population is low.
Augmentation biological control can be carried out through which two types of releases?
Answer: Inoculative and Inundative
Augmentation biological control can be implemented through inoculative releases (small, frequent releases for establishment) or inundative releases (large releases for immediate impact).
Conservation biological control primarily focuses on:
Answer: Protecting and enhancing existing populations of natural enemies.
Conservation biological control primarily focuses on protecting and enhancing existing populations of natural enemies through habitat management and resource provision.
Planting nectar-producing plants can help conserve natural enemies by providing them with essential food sources.
Answer: True
Planting nectar-producing plants, often in field borders or hedgerows, provides essential food sources for adult natural enemies, thereby supporting and conserving their populations and enhancing their efficacy in pest management.
Predators in biological control are organisms that lay their eggs on or inside a host, eventually killing it.
Answer: False
This statement describes parasitoids. Predators in biological control are organisms that actively hunt and consume prey throughout their lives, such as lady beetles and lacewings.
Entomopathogenic nematodes are microscopic roundworms used to infect and kill insect pests, often by releasing symbiotic bacteria.
Answer: True
Entomopathogenic nematodes are microscopic roundworms that infect insect pests, often by releasing symbiotic bacteria that cause mortality. They are typically applied to the soil to target soil-dwelling insect larvae.
Parasitoids are primarily used in biological control because they are generalist predators that consume a wide range of pest species.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Parasitoids are typically specialists that target specific host insects, often at particular life stages, and they do not function as generalist predators.
Ichneumonid wasps and tachinid flies are examples of insect parasitoids used in biological control.
Answer: True
Ichneumonid wasps, braconid wasps, and tachinid flies are prominent examples of insect parasitoids frequently employed in biological control programs due to their host specificity.
Fungi used in biological pest control, like Beauveria bassiana, are primarily used to control plant diseases.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, are used to infect and control insect pests; other types of fungi are employed to manage plant diseases.
Baculoviruses are a type of microorganism used in biological control that are highly specific to certain insect species.
Answer: True
Baculoviruses are a group of DNA viruses used in biological control, known for their high specificity to certain insect species, making them valuable for targeted pest management.
Competitors in biological pest control suppress pests by consuming them directly.
Answer: False
Competitors in biological pest control suppress pest populations by vying for essential resources such as food or space, rather than by directly consuming the pests.
The image of Hippodamia convergens illustrates the use of parasitoid wasps in pest control.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle, is a predator, not a parasitoid wasp, and is used for its predatory activity against pests like aphids.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium that produces toxins harmful to certain insect larvae and is used as a biopesticide spray.
Answer: True
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium that produces specific protein toxins lethal to certain insect larvae, making it a widely used biopesticide applied as a spray or incorporated into genetically modified crops.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria control insect pests by releasing beneficial symbiotic bacteria into the host.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria control insect pests by producing specific protein toxins that are ingested by the larvae, damaging their digestive systems.
Parasitoids regulate pest populations effectively by consuming pests at all life stages, including adults.
Answer: False
This statement is generally incorrect. Parasitoids typically target specific life stages of their host insects, such as eggs or larvae, and their effectiveness is often maximized when hosts have limited opportunities to evade them.
Lady beetles and lacewings are examples of which type of biological control agent?
Answer: Predators
Lady beetles (e.g., Hippodamia convergens) and lacewings are classic examples of predators used as biological control agents.
What role do parasitoids play in pest control?
Answer: They lay eggs on or inside a host, leading to the host's death.
Parasitoids regulate pest populations by laying their eggs on or within a host insect; the developing parasitoid larvae consume the host, ultimately leading to its death.
Which of the following is a primary group of insect parasitoids used in biological control?
Answer: Tachinid flies
Primary groups of insect parasitoids utilized in biological control include ichneumonid wasps, braconid wasps, chalcidoid wasps, and tachinid flies.
What is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) primarily known for in biological control?
Answer: Producing toxins lethal to specific insect groups.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is primarily known for producing specific toxins that are lethal to certain insect larvae, making it an effective biopesticide.
How are fungi used in biological pest control?
Answer: They are sprayed onto crops to infect and kill insects.
Fungi used in biological pest control, such as Beauveria bassiana, are applied to crops as sprays to infect and kill insect pests.
What are baculoviruses used for in biological control?
Answer: To infect specific insect species, typically applied as sprays.
Baculoviruses are used in biological control to infect specific insect species, typically applied as sprays to foliage where insect larvae ingest them.
The image of the Syrphus hoverfly larva feeding on aphids illustrates which biological control principle?
Answer: Predation
The image of the Syrphus hoverfly larva feeding on aphids illustrates the principle of predation, where the larva acts as a natural enemy controlling the aphid population.
How are parasitoids like Gonatocerus ashmeadi used effectively in biological control?
Answer: By laying eggs on or inside specific pest life stages.
Parasitoids like Gonatocerus ashmeadi are used effectively in biological control by laying eggs on or inside specific pest life stages, leading to the pest's demise.
The first international shipment of a biological control agent was in 1873, sending predatory mites to France to combat grapevine phylloxera.
Answer: True
The first international shipment of a biological control agent occurred in 1873, when predatory mites were sent from France to combat the grapevine phylloxera, a significant pest affecting vineyards.
The vedalia beetle's introduction to California in the late 1800s was unsuccessful in controlling the cottony cushion scale.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. The introduction of the vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis) to California in the late 1800s was a highly successful classical biological control effort that effectively managed the cottony cushion scale.
Australia used the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, to control invasive prickly pear cactus, achieving near-complete destruction by 1932.
Answer: True
Australia successfully utilized the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, to control the invasive prickly pear cactus, achieving near-complete eradication of the plant by 1932.
The USDA's first major biological control program, starting in 1905, focused on controlling the cottony cushion scale in California.
Answer: False
The USDA's first major biological control program, initiated in 1905, targeted invasive moths such as the spongy moth and brown-tail moth, not the cottony cushion scale.
The 'push-pull' farming strategy uses a single plant to both repel pests and attract natural enemies.
Answer: False
The 'push-pull' farming strategy involves planting a 'push' plant to repel pests away from the main crop and a 'pull' plant to attract pests to a trap crop or a habitat supporting natural enemies, typically utilizing two distinct plant species.
Dung beetles were introduced to Australia to reduce breeding sites for the Australian bush fly.
Answer: True
Dung beetles were introduced to Australia as part of a biological control initiative to reduce the availability of breeding sites for the Australian bush fly by accelerating the decomposition of cattle dung.
Secondary plants in polyculture systems primarily serve to attract pests away from the main crop.
Answer: False
Secondary plants in polyculture systems can serve multiple functions, including providing habitat for natural enemies, deterring pests, or acting as trap crops, but their primary role is not exclusively to attract pests away from the main crop.
The sterile insect technique involves releasing large numbers of sterilized female insects to reduce pest populations.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. The sterile insect technique (SIT) involves releasing large numbers of sterilized male insects to mate with wild females, thereby reducing the pest population by producing infertile eggs.
Gonatocerus ashmeadi, a parasitoid wasp, was successfully introduced to control the glassy-winged sharpshooter in French Polynesia, reducing the pest population by approximately 95%.
Answer: True
The parasitoid wasp Gonatocerus ashmeadi was successfully introduced to control the glassy-winged sharpshooter in French Polynesia, achieving a significant reduction in the pest population, approximately 95%.
Habitat manipulation in conservation biological control involves creating features like hedgerows to provide resources for natural enemies.
Answer: True
Habitat manipulation in conservation biological control involves modifying the environment, such as creating hedgerows or planting specific vegetation, to provide essential resources like food and shelter for natural enemies of pests.
The sterile insect technique aims to reduce pest populations by releasing sterile females that outcompete native males.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. The sterile insect technique (SIT) aims to reduce pest populations by releasing sterile males that compete with native males for mating opportunities, leading to infertile offspring.
What pest was targeted by the first international shipment of a biological control agent in 1873?
Answer: Grapevine phylloxera
The first international shipment of a biological control agent in 1873 targeted the grapevine phylloxera, a devastating pest of vineyards.
The successful control of the cottony cushion scale in California was primarily achieved by introducing which organism?
Answer: Vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis)
The successful control of the cottony cushion scale in California was primarily achieved through the introduction of the vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis).
Which organism is mentioned as an example of an inoculative release for controlling whiteflies in greenhouses?
Answer: Encarsia formosa
The parasitoid wasp Encarsia formosa is mentioned as an example of an inoculative release used for controlling whiteflies in greenhouse environments.
The 'push-pull' farming strategy involves planting a 'push' plant to repel pests and a 'pull' plant to:
Answer: Attract pests to a trap crop or natural enemy habitat.
The 'push-pull' farming strategy involves planting a 'push' plant to repel pests and a 'pull' plant to attract pests to a trap crop or a habitat that supports natural enemies.
How did the introduction of dung beetles help control the Australian bush fly?
Answer: By reducing the available breeding sites for the flies.
The introduction of dung beetles to Australia helped control the Australian bush fly by rapidly breaking down cattle dung, thereby reducing the available breeding sites for the flies.
What is the primary mechanism of the sterile insect technique (SIT)?
Answer: Releasing sterilized males to mate with wild females, producing infertile eggs.
The primary mechanism of the sterile insect technique (SIT) is the release of sterilized males that mate with wild females, resulting in infertile eggs and a reduction in the pest population.
What is the significance of the image showing Cactoblastis cactorum larvae consuming prickly pear cacti?
Answer: It visually represents a successful classical biological control method.
The image showing Cactoblastis cactorum larvae consuming prickly pear cacti visually represents a highly successful classical biological control method used to manage invasive plants.
Potential challenges in implementing biological control include regulatory hurdles and a lack of farmer acceptance.
Answer: True
Implementing biological control can present challenges, including navigating regulatory processes and overcoming a lack of acceptance or understanding among growers.
Introduced biological control agents pose no risk to native biodiversity.
Answer: False
This statement is false. Introduced biological control agents can pose risks to native biodiversity by impacting non-target species through predation, parasitism, or competition.
The introduction of the cane toad to Australia was an effective method for controlling cane beetles.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. The introduction of the cane toad to Australia to control cane beetles was ineffective for its intended purpose and resulted in significant negative ecological impacts, including poisoning native predators.
Grower education can improve the adoption of biological pest control by increasing understanding and confidence through practical demonstrations.
Answer: True
Grower education, particularly through practical demonstrations and field observations, can enhance understanding and confidence in biological pest control methods, thereby improving adoption rates.
Over-reliance on pesticides can lead to the development of pest resistance and the destruction of beneficial natural enemies.
Answer: True
Over-reliance on synthetic pesticides can lead to the evolution of pest resistance and the disruption of beneficial natural enemy populations, often necessitating integrated approaches like biological control.
The eastern mosquitofish, used for mosquito control, has had no negative impacts on native ecosystems.
Answer: False
This statement is false. The eastern mosquitofish, while used for mosquito control, has had detrimental impacts on native ecosystems by preying on the eggs and larvae of native fish and amphibians.
Transporting biological control agents like parasitoids is generally easy due to their resilience to environmental changes.
Answer: False
Transporting biological control agents, such as parasitoids, is often challenging due to their sensitivity to environmental factors like temperature fluctuations and vibrations, which can affect their viability and efficacy.
The image depicting the cane toad's distribution in Australia serves as an example of successful biological control.
Answer: False
This statement is false. The cane toad's introduction to Australia, intended for pest control, is widely cited as a classic example of biological control failure, causing significant ecological disruption.
What is a significant difficulty associated with implementing biological pest control?
Answer: Potential for unintended consequences on non-target species.
A significant difficulty associated with implementing biological pest control is the potential for unintended consequences on non-target species, necessitating thorough risk assessment.
Why are vertebrate animals often considered poor choices for biological control agents?
Answer: They often have generalist feeding habits and can harm native species.
Vertebrate animals are often considered poor choices for biological control agents due to their generalist feeding habits, which can lead them to harm native species or become invasive themselves.
What ecological problem arose from the introduction of the cane toad to Australia?
Answer: It failed to control cane beetles and poisoned native predators.
The introduction of the cane toad to Australia resulted in ecological problems, as it failed to control cane beetles and instead poisoned native predators and disrupted ecosystems.
How can grower education contribute to the adoption of biological pest control?
Answer: By demonstrating the effectiveness and increasing grower confidence.
Grower education can contribute to the adoption of biological pest control by increasing understanding of its efficacy and building confidence through practical demonstrations and field experience.
What is a potential downside of over-reliance on pesticides mentioned in the context of grower education?
Answer: Destruction of beneficial natural enemies and secondary pest outbreaks.
A potential downside of over-reliance on pesticides, as mentioned in the context of grower education, is the destruction of beneficial natural enemies, which can lead to secondary pest outbreaks.