Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Practice Test

Which of the following factors can contribute to the development of pest resistance?

1. Use of crop rotation

2. Regular monitoring of pest populations

3. Repeated use of the same pesticide class

4. Implementing integrated pest management

The correct answer is: Repeated use of the same pesticide class

The development of pest resistance is significantly influenced by the repeated use of the same pesticide class. When a specific pesticide is used consistently on pest populations, those pests that have a genetic predisposition to survive the chemical application can become more prevalent. This selective pressure leads to a situation where the susceptible individuals are eliminated, and the resistant individuals thrive and reproduce, passing on their resistant traits to their offspring. Over time, the population of pests can become predominantly made up of resistant individuals, making it increasingly difficult to manage them using the same pesticide or even related classes. In contrast, practices like crop rotation, regular monitoring, and integrated pest management introduce variability into pest control strategies, making it harder for pests to adapt and develop resistance. These approaches diversify the methods of pest control and reduce the likelihood of resistance building up. Thus, relying heavily on a single pesticide class is a major factor that can contribute to the development of pest resistance.