Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Practice Test

Pest resistance may be caused by using which of the following practices?

1. Over application of pesticides

2. Less than the labeled rate of the pesticide

3. Frequent crop rotation

4. Using multiple pesticide classes

The correct answer is: Less than the labeled rate of the pesticide

The option regarding the use of less than the labeled rate of the pesticide is related to pest resistance because when pesticides are applied at sub-lethal doses, they may not fully control the target pest population. This insufficient exposure can allow some individuals within the pest population, which may possess or develop resistance mechanisms, to survive and reproduce. Over time, these resistant individuals can become more prevalent, leading to an overall population that is less susceptible to that particular pesticide. Using labeled rates ensures that the active ingredient is present in a concentration that effectively reduces the population of pests. Furthermore, practices like frequent crop rotation and employing multiple pesticide classes are known strategies to manage pest resistance effectively; they help interrupt the life cycles of pests and reduce the likelihood of resistance development by minimizing their exposure to any single mode of action. Therefore, using less than the labeled rate compromises effective pest management and encourages resistance, making it a practice that contributes to the problem.