7B MANAGEMENT OF WOOD DESTROYING
ORGANISMS: UNIT 2. PEST IDENTIFICATION AND
BIOLOGY - TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is the main reason to use scientific names to identify pests? Answer - To
avoid confusion. Common names vary widely, and these names are not
consistent from place to place. Scientific (Latin) names are the same
throughout the world.
Describe the differences between incomplete (gradual) and complete
metamorphosis. Answer - Incomplete (gradual) metamorphosis is a type of
insect development that has three life stages (body forms): egg, nymph, and
adult. The nymph resembles the adult in body form. Complete metamorphosis
is a type of insect development that has four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and
adult. The immature stages are wormlike and look nothing like the adult.
Why is it important to understand the life (developmental) stages of insect
pests? Answer - 1. It will help you identify insect pests, which may change
radically in appearance from one life stage to the next.
2. The presence of one stage (ex. an adult wood-boring beetle) can alert you to
the presence of a more destructive life stage (the larva) causing damage in the
wood.
3. It will help you decide which stage is most vulnerable to control.
, Termites belong to an insect order called Isoptera ("equal wings"). Why?
Answer - Because the front and hind wings of the termite swarmers are the
same size and shape. This is different from most other insects (like ants) where
the front wings are typically larger and different in shape from the hind wings.
How are termites able to digest cellulose from wood? Answer - Termites have
microorganisms (protozoa and bacteria) in their gut. These microorganisms
digest the cellulose, converting it into sugars and nutrients that termites can
use.
What are social insects? Answer - Insects like termites and ants that live in
family groups called colonies. Within the colonies, specialized groups of
termites or ants (castes) perform jobs that benefit the colony as a whole. In the
termite colony, the worker caste does all of the foraging for food and is
responsible for feeding the termite king, queen, and other siblings. The king
and queen termites are responsible only for reproduction. The soldier caste is
responsible for colony defense.
Name three distinguishing characteristics of drywood termites. Answer - 1.
Drywood termites need no contact with the soil.
2. Drywood termite galleries cut across (not along) the grain of wood.
3. Drywood termites produce cylindrical fecal pellets that are the same color as
the infested wood and have six distinct depressions on the sides.
Which type of termite is the most economically important pest in the United
States? Why? Answer - The subterranean termite. It causes millions of dollars
worth of damage to buildings, books, documents, and photographs each year.
ORGANISMS: UNIT 2. PEST IDENTIFICATION AND
BIOLOGY - TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is the main reason to use scientific names to identify pests? Answer - To
avoid confusion. Common names vary widely, and these names are not
consistent from place to place. Scientific (Latin) names are the same
throughout the world.
Describe the differences between incomplete (gradual) and complete
metamorphosis. Answer - Incomplete (gradual) metamorphosis is a type of
insect development that has three life stages (body forms): egg, nymph, and
adult. The nymph resembles the adult in body form. Complete metamorphosis
is a type of insect development that has four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and
adult. The immature stages are wormlike and look nothing like the adult.
Why is it important to understand the life (developmental) stages of insect
pests? Answer - 1. It will help you identify insect pests, which may change
radically in appearance from one life stage to the next.
2. The presence of one stage (ex. an adult wood-boring beetle) can alert you to
the presence of a more destructive life stage (the larva) causing damage in the
wood.
3. It will help you decide which stage is most vulnerable to control.
, Termites belong to an insect order called Isoptera ("equal wings"). Why?
Answer - Because the front and hind wings of the termite swarmers are the
same size and shape. This is different from most other insects (like ants) where
the front wings are typically larger and different in shape from the hind wings.
How are termites able to digest cellulose from wood? Answer - Termites have
microorganisms (protozoa and bacteria) in their gut. These microorganisms
digest the cellulose, converting it into sugars and nutrients that termites can
use.
What are social insects? Answer - Insects like termites and ants that live in
family groups called colonies. Within the colonies, specialized groups of
termites or ants (castes) perform jobs that benefit the colony as a whole. In the
termite colony, the worker caste does all of the foraging for food and is
responsible for feeding the termite king, queen, and other siblings. The king
and queen termites are responsible only for reproduction. The soldier caste is
responsible for colony defense.
Name three distinguishing characteristics of drywood termites. Answer - 1.
Drywood termites need no contact with the soil.
2. Drywood termite galleries cut across (not along) the grain of wood.
3. Drywood termites produce cylindrical fecal pellets that are the same color as
the infested wood and have six distinct depressions on the sides.
Which type of termite is the most economically important pest in the United
States? Why? Answer - The subterranean termite. It causes millions of dollars
worth of damage to buildings, books, documents, and photographs each year.
