QAC Category B – Landscape
Maintenance License Practice Exam:
Complete Question Bank with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales for
the 2026 Licensing Cycle
What are the two main classifications of weeds botanically?
Answer: Dicots & Monocots
Rationale: Weeds are classified botanically into monocots (grasses and
sedges) and dicots (broadleaf weeds). Dicots produce two seedling leaves
(cotyledons), while monocots produce one. This classification is
fundamental for proper herbicide selection because different herbicides
target different weed types .
What is the definition of a dicot weed?
Answer: Broad leaves with netted veins, produces two seedling leaves
Rationale: Dicot weeds are broadleaves that produce two seedling leaves
(cotyledons). They have netted or branching veins, distinguishing them
from monocots. Examples include dandelion, clover, and plantain. This
,characteristic is important for identification and selecting appropriate
broadleaf herbicides .
Which of the following are parasitic dicots?
Answer: Mistletoe and dodder
Rationale: Mistletoe and dodder are parasitic dicots that attach to host
plants and extract nutrients. They are not capable of independent survival.
Mistletoe affects landscape trees, while dodder wraps around host plants
and has little or no chlorophyll .
Why are perennial weeds difficult to control?
Answer: They can reproduce from vegetative organs like rhizomes, stolons,
and tubers
Rationale: Perennial weeds are the most difficult to control because they
can reproduce and spread from storage organs such as rhizomes, stolons,
tubers, and bulbs. Even if the top growth is removed, these underground
structures can generate new plants, making complete eradication
challenging .
Which part of the plant do nematodes commonly attack?
Answer: Roots and underground parts
,Rationale: Nematodes typically attack plant roots and underground parts,
causing galls (knots), stunting, and wilting by interfering with water and
nutrient uptake. Root-knot nematodes are particularly problematic in
landscape settings, causing distinctive galls on root systems .
Which plant disorder CANNOT be transmitted between plants?
Answer: Abiotic problem
Rationale: Abiotic problems are caused by non-living factors such as
nutrient deficiencies, drought, heat stress, chemical injury, and mechanical
damage. They are not infectious and cannot be transmitted between plants.
This distinguishes them from biotic pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and
viruses .
To which insect order do ants belong?
Answer: Hymenoptera
Rationale: Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, along with bees, wasps,
and sawflies. They have chewing mouthparts and often have complex social
structures. Understanding insect orders helps in selecting appropriate
control methods, as different orders may have different susceptibilities to
pesticides .
, Which insects have chewing mouthparts?
Answer: Caterpillars
Rationale: Caterpillars (larvae of Lepidoptera) have chewing mouthparts
that cause damage by consuming leaf tissue, creating holes and notches.
Other insects with chewing mouthparts include beetles and grasshoppers.
Recognizing feeding damage patterns helps identify the pest type and
select appropriate controls .
Which insect order sucks juices from plant cells?
Answer: Homoptera (aphids and whiteflies)
Rationale: Homopterans, such as aphids, whiteflies, and scales, have
piercing-sucking mouthparts and feed on plant sap, causing damage and
potentially transmitting viruses. Their feeding can cause stunting, yellowing,
and honeydew production, which leads to sooty mold growth .
What are the immature stages of insects called?
Answer: Instars
Rationale: The immature stages of insects between molts are called instars.
Insects develop through a series of instars before reaching adulthood.
Understanding this concept is important because different life stages may
have different susceptibilities to pesticides and require different timing for
effective control .
Maintenance License Practice Exam:
Complete Question Bank with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales for
the 2026 Licensing Cycle
What are the two main classifications of weeds botanically?
Answer: Dicots & Monocots
Rationale: Weeds are classified botanically into monocots (grasses and
sedges) and dicots (broadleaf weeds). Dicots produce two seedling leaves
(cotyledons), while monocots produce one. This classification is
fundamental for proper herbicide selection because different herbicides
target different weed types .
What is the definition of a dicot weed?
Answer: Broad leaves with netted veins, produces two seedling leaves
Rationale: Dicot weeds are broadleaves that produce two seedling leaves
(cotyledons). They have netted or branching veins, distinguishing them
from monocots. Examples include dandelion, clover, and plantain. This
,characteristic is important for identification and selecting appropriate
broadleaf herbicides .
Which of the following are parasitic dicots?
Answer: Mistletoe and dodder
Rationale: Mistletoe and dodder are parasitic dicots that attach to host
plants and extract nutrients. They are not capable of independent survival.
Mistletoe affects landscape trees, while dodder wraps around host plants
and has little or no chlorophyll .
Why are perennial weeds difficult to control?
Answer: They can reproduce from vegetative organs like rhizomes, stolons,
and tubers
Rationale: Perennial weeds are the most difficult to control because they
can reproduce and spread from storage organs such as rhizomes, stolons,
tubers, and bulbs. Even if the top growth is removed, these underground
structures can generate new plants, making complete eradication
challenging .
Which part of the plant do nematodes commonly attack?
Answer: Roots and underground parts
,Rationale: Nematodes typically attack plant roots and underground parts,
causing galls (knots), stunting, and wilting by interfering with water and
nutrient uptake. Root-knot nematodes are particularly problematic in
landscape settings, causing distinctive galls on root systems .
Which plant disorder CANNOT be transmitted between plants?
Answer: Abiotic problem
Rationale: Abiotic problems are caused by non-living factors such as
nutrient deficiencies, drought, heat stress, chemical injury, and mechanical
damage. They are not infectious and cannot be transmitted between plants.
This distinguishes them from biotic pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and
viruses .
To which insect order do ants belong?
Answer: Hymenoptera
Rationale: Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, along with bees, wasps,
and sawflies. They have chewing mouthparts and often have complex social
structures. Understanding insect orders helps in selecting appropriate
control methods, as different orders may have different susceptibilities to
pesticides .
, Which insects have chewing mouthparts?
Answer: Caterpillars
Rationale: Caterpillars (larvae of Lepidoptera) have chewing mouthparts
that cause damage by consuming leaf tissue, creating holes and notches.
Other insects with chewing mouthparts include beetles and grasshoppers.
Recognizing feeding damage patterns helps identify the pest type and
select appropriate controls .
Which insect order sucks juices from plant cells?
Answer: Homoptera (aphids and whiteflies)
Rationale: Homopterans, such as aphids, whiteflies, and scales, have
piercing-sucking mouthparts and feed on plant sap, causing damage and
potentially transmitting viruses. Their feeding can cause stunting, yellowing,
and honeydew production, which leads to sooty mold growth .
What are the immature stages of insects called?
Answer: Instars
Rationale: The immature stages of insects between molts are called instars.
Insects develop through a series of instars before reaching adulthood.
Understanding this concept is important because different life stages may
have different susceptibilities to pesticides and require different timing for
effective control .
