Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review 2026: Turf & Landscape

Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review 2026: Turf & Landscape Ch.1 List the general kinds of damage insect pests can cause - answer--Chew on seeds, roots, leaves, stems, & fruits -Tunnel in roots, stems, & leaves -Suck plant juices -Promote gall formation and other malformations -Inject toxins into plants -Transmit diseases to plants -Create a nuisance for people Ch.1 Describe the structural features of insects - answer-Insects have: body form has 3 regions: head, thorax, abdomen; 3 pairs of legs attached to thorax; 0, 1, or 2 pairs of wings attached to thorax; 1 pair of antennae Ch.1 Explain how to distinguish insects from other arthropods - answer-Arthropods have: exoskeleton; body form has 2 regions: head & abdomen; usually 4 pairs of legs attached to head; no wings; no antennae Ch.1 Contrast the difference between simple and complete metamorphosis - answer--Simple: "Incomplete Metamorphosis"; 3 stages: egg, nymph, & adult -Complete: 4 distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, & adult Ch.1 Explain how temperature and humidity affect insect development - answer-*Temperature & humidity preferences vary for each insect. *Combined effect of both on reproduction & development is more dramatically different than the effect of either alone. -Temperature: development is faster with heat & slower with cold temps; insects die at the high levels of developmental threshold temps and become inactive at low levels-Humidity: effects insect diseases; effects moisture levels required for survival Ch.1 List the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides - answer-Advantages: -Effective against economically damaging pests -Can combine 1 or 2 insecticides to combat several pests -They act quickly to control pests before reaching damaging levels -For new pests, there are many compounds that have been proven effective -Effective insecticides, suitable formulations, & application equipment are normally available Disadvantages: -Often eliminate beneficial insects, allowing target organisms to rebound quickly -Repeated exposure can lead to resistance in a pest population -Yearly dependence on applications is an added cost -Always a potential for drift, residues, and damage Ch.2 Explain what determines whether a given plant is a weed - answer-Weeds are unwanted plants Ch.2 List the two main goals of weed management - answer-1. Minimize weed competition 2. Limit the weed's reproduction so that you can still manage the weed population in future years Ch.2 Describe ways that weeds can pose problems in turf and landscapes (7) - answer--Interfere with management practices -Produce chemical inhibitors that directly retard the growth of desirable plants (allelopathy) -Create a poor impression on customers -Interferes with pesticide applications -Support insect pests and plant diseases or provide cover for rodents -Are poisonous, allergenic, or irritating to people or pets -Dry out or die and become fire hazards