Aquatic & Mosquito Exam Questions with
Verified Correct Answers Latest Update Graded
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List the roles plants play in a healthy aquatic ecosystem. - ANSWER -producing oxygen
-preventing shoreline erosion
-lessening excess nutrients during growing season
-stabilizing lake bottom
-providing food and habitat for fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic animals
List ways that excessive plant growth can adversely affect the ecology and uses of a water body. -
ANSWER -harm ecology of aquatic ecosystem
-curtail or prevent recreational water uses (e.g. fishing, boating, swimming)
-impart tastes or odors to drinking water
-hamper water treatment operations
-adversely affect aesthetics, resort trade, and waterfront property values
-produce toxins that harm animals drinking the water
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by: Emergent
aquatic plants - ANSWER -*growth habits*: rooted in shallow water, most growth above water
-*means of dispersal*: underground root systems
-*potential problems*: very dense and may exclude recreational pursuits like boating, fishing, and
swimming. Purple loosestrife is an example of a problem species.
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by:
Submergent aquatic plants (both pondweeds and plants with whorled leaves) - ANSWER -*growth
habits*: grow mostly under water surface, pondweeds sometimes have floating leaves in addition to
their submerged leaves; whorled-leaf plants grow underwater with whorled leaf attachments
,-*means of dispersal*: pondweeds have extensive root systems, runners, and can also reproduce from
seeds; plants with whorled leaves can disperse when uprooted by breaking free and getting moved by
the wind
-*potential problems*: most pondweeds not nuisance except for curlyleaf pondweed and sometimes
sago pondweed; whorled leaf plants can uproot and break free easily and drift with wind to clutter
shoreline; Eurasian watermilfoil is an aggressive non-native that can affect habitat and restrict
recreation. Raking is required to remove these clutters.
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by: Free-
floating and rooted floating-leaved aquatic plants - ANSWER -*growth habits*: occur on water surface
and can be free-floating or rooted with large floating leaves
-*means of dispersal*: free floating plants are easily windblown. rooted ones not so much
-*potential problems*: free-floating plants accumulate on shorelines and are difficult to control in large
waterbodies; rooted plants are rarely a nuisance.
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by: Free-
floating, filamentous, and "rooted" algae - ANSWER -*growth habits*: found free-floating (planktonic) or
attached to submerged surfaces (filamentous or "rooted").
-*means of dispersal*: multiply rapidly in warm weather;
-*potential problems*: free-floating algae responsible for many nuisance algal blooms (release toxin, low
DO, blue-green algae); removing rooted algae can allow worse species to come in so don't mess with
them.
List the advantages and disadvantages of chemical control of aquatic plants and algae - ANSWER
*Advantages*:
-offer longer-lasting control than some mechanical methods
-less physical labor
-ultimately cost less
-important tool for specific nuisance plants/algae such as Eurasian watermilfoil and purple loosestrife
*Disadvantages*:
-restrictions on water use
-oxygen depletion and fish kills
-sudden nutrient release into water can lead to other plant or algae problems
,-risk to people and nontarget organisms
Describe the beneficial roles of Wisconsin's fish populations. - ANSWER -maintain balanced communities
by feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and other fish & provide a food source for natural predators
-fishing for food/sport is popular in WI and ddepends on healthy populations
-fish farms and hatcheries raise fish for food, feed, fertilizer, bait, and to release
List 5 types of situations in which fish control may be warranted - ANSWER -eliminating undesirable or
competing fish from fish rearing ponds
-removing exotic and other undesirable species from a waterbody
-thinning stunted fish to bring a population into balance
-eliminating fish from a hatchery water supply to prevent a potential reservoir of disease-causing
organisms
-treating fish spawning sites to prevent overpopulation of an individual species
Explain why post-treatment management can be important in the long-term success of a pesticide
treatment project. - ANSWER -because when fish populations are lowered, density-dependent
population growth allows the population to rebound if not managed post-treatment
Know the Law: Who do you need to get approval from to conduct any chemical treatment for fish
control? - ANSWER WI DNR Aquatic Plant Management Program
List the 2 main reasons why mosquito control may be warranted. - ANSWER -nuisance
-disease
Describe the 4 stages of the mosquito life cycle, including the main structural features of each - ANSWER
-*egg*: laid in water, hatch in ~3 days, some laid on dry land and hatch when flooded
-*larva*: "wiggler", 4 instars with molting in between each, filterers, air tube to breath from surface
-*pupa*: comma shaped, non-feeding, lasts a few days, contain respiratory trumpets, "tumblers"
-*adult*: 1 pair wings, elongated probiscis, pair of antennae, males have bushy antennae while females
have short and sparse antennae
, List the types of info you need about a mosquito species before you can develop an effective program to
control it. - ANSWER -the types and locations of breeding sites
-# of generations per year
-host preference of the females (what animals they prefer to get blood from)
-seasonal population levels and how rainfall affects them
-their flight range
-common resting areas
-whether the species can transmit pathogens that may be present in your area
-whether the mosquitoes carry pathogens that are present in wildlife populations
Describe the habits of Aedes triseriatus, Aedes vexans, and Culex pipiens species of mosquitoes. -
ANSWER -*Aedes triseriatus*: tree-hole mosquito; breeds in old tires, tin cans, barrels, tree holes and
stumps; several generations per year; main vector of La Crosse encephalitis
-*Aedes vexans*: most common pest species in state from late spring-late fall; "inland floodwater
mosquito"; larvae in roadside puddles, woodland pools, temporary pools, and river bottoms; continuous
breeding in wet years; survives winter and dry periods in egg stage; adults migrate 15-20 miles or more
from breeding sites and can live for 3-4 weeks; eggs dormant for up to 5 years before flooding prompts
hatching
-*Culex pipiens*: breed in temporary or permanent pools that are high in OM like ditches or sewage
lagoons; females lay eggs in rafts and eggs hatch quickly; responsible for St. Louis encephalitis and West
Nile Virus.
-Both Aedes triseriatus and Culex pipiens breed in "backyard sites" like bird baths, ponds, tree holes,
buckets, tires, and rain barrels.
List the 3 main mosquito-transmitted diseases that occur in WI and know the mosquito vector for each. -
ANSWER -*La Crosse Encephalitis*: Aedes triseriatus
-*West Nile Virus*: Culex pipiens
-*Dog Heartworm*: Aedes vexans
Define the word pesticide and explain how the word differs from specific types of pesticides. - ANSWER -
*Pesticide*: any substance used to directly control pest populations or to prevent or reduce pest damage
-'pesticide' is broad and refers to the killing of any pests. insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide are specific.
Verified Correct Answers Latest Update Graded
A+/ 100% Guaranteed Pass
List the roles plants play in a healthy aquatic ecosystem. - ANSWER -producing oxygen
-preventing shoreline erosion
-lessening excess nutrients during growing season
-stabilizing lake bottom
-providing food and habitat for fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic animals
List ways that excessive plant growth can adversely affect the ecology and uses of a water body. -
ANSWER -harm ecology of aquatic ecosystem
-curtail or prevent recreational water uses (e.g. fishing, boating, swimming)
-impart tastes or odors to drinking water
-hamper water treatment operations
-adversely affect aesthetics, resort trade, and waterfront property values
-produce toxins that harm animals drinking the water
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by: Emergent
aquatic plants - ANSWER -*growth habits*: rooted in shallow water, most growth above water
-*means of dispersal*: underground root systems
-*potential problems*: very dense and may exclude recreational pursuits like boating, fishing, and
swimming. Purple loosestrife is an example of a problem species.
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by:
Submergent aquatic plants (both pondweeds and plants with whorled leaves) - ANSWER -*growth
habits*: grow mostly under water surface, pondweeds sometimes have floating leaves in addition to
their submerged leaves; whorled-leaf plants grow underwater with whorled leaf attachments
,-*means of dispersal*: pondweeds have extensive root systems, runners, and can also reproduce from
seeds; plants with whorled leaves can disperse when uprooted by breaking free and getting moved by
the wind
-*potential problems*: most pondweeds not nuisance except for curlyleaf pondweed and sometimes
sago pondweed; whorled leaf plants can uproot and break free easily and drift with wind to clutter
shoreline; Eurasian watermilfoil is an aggressive non-native that can affect habitat and restrict
recreation. Raking is required to remove these clutters.
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by: Free-
floating and rooted floating-leaved aquatic plants - ANSWER -*growth habits*: occur on water surface
and can be free-floating or rooted with large floating leaves
-*means of dispersal*: free floating plants are easily windblown. rooted ones not so much
-*potential problems*: free-floating plants accumulate on shorelines and are difficult to control in large
waterbodies; rooted plants are rarely a nuisance.
Describe the general growth habits of, means of dispersal and potential problems caused by: Free-
floating, filamentous, and "rooted" algae - ANSWER -*growth habits*: found free-floating (planktonic) or
attached to submerged surfaces (filamentous or "rooted").
-*means of dispersal*: multiply rapidly in warm weather;
-*potential problems*: free-floating algae responsible for many nuisance algal blooms (release toxin, low
DO, blue-green algae); removing rooted algae can allow worse species to come in so don't mess with
them.
List the advantages and disadvantages of chemical control of aquatic plants and algae - ANSWER
*Advantages*:
-offer longer-lasting control than some mechanical methods
-less physical labor
-ultimately cost less
-important tool for specific nuisance plants/algae such as Eurasian watermilfoil and purple loosestrife
*Disadvantages*:
-restrictions on water use
-oxygen depletion and fish kills
-sudden nutrient release into water can lead to other plant or algae problems
,-risk to people and nontarget organisms
Describe the beneficial roles of Wisconsin's fish populations. - ANSWER -maintain balanced communities
by feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and other fish & provide a food source for natural predators
-fishing for food/sport is popular in WI and ddepends on healthy populations
-fish farms and hatcheries raise fish for food, feed, fertilizer, bait, and to release
List 5 types of situations in which fish control may be warranted - ANSWER -eliminating undesirable or
competing fish from fish rearing ponds
-removing exotic and other undesirable species from a waterbody
-thinning stunted fish to bring a population into balance
-eliminating fish from a hatchery water supply to prevent a potential reservoir of disease-causing
organisms
-treating fish spawning sites to prevent overpopulation of an individual species
Explain why post-treatment management can be important in the long-term success of a pesticide
treatment project. - ANSWER -because when fish populations are lowered, density-dependent
population growth allows the population to rebound if not managed post-treatment
Know the Law: Who do you need to get approval from to conduct any chemical treatment for fish
control? - ANSWER WI DNR Aquatic Plant Management Program
List the 2 main reasons why mosquito control may be warranted. - ANSWER -nuisance
-disease
Describe the 4 stages of the mosquito life cycle, including the main structural features of each - ANSWER
-*egg*: laid in water, hatch in ~3 days, some laid on dry land and hatch when flooded
-*larva*: "wiggler", 4 instars with molting in between each, filterers, air tube to breath from surface
-*pupa*: comma shaped, non-feeding, lasts a few days, contain respiratory trumpets, "tumblers"
-*adult*: 1 pair wings, elongated probiscis, pair of antennae, males have bushy antennae while females
have short and sparse antennae
, List the types of info you need about a mosquito species before you can develop an effective program to
control it. - ANSWER -the types and locations of breeding sites
-# of generations per year
-host preference of the females (what animals they prefer to get blood from)
-seasonal population levels and how rainfall affects them
-their flight range
-common resting areas
-whether the species can transmit pathogens that may be present in your area
-whether the mosquitoes carry pathogens that are present in wildlife populations
Describe the habits of Aedes triseriatus, Aedes vexans, and Culex pipiens species of mosquitoes. -
ANSWER -*Aedes triseriatus*: tree-hole mosquito; breeds in old tires, tin cans, barrels, tree holes and
stumps; several generations per year; main vector of La Crosse encephalitis
-*Aedes vexans*: most common pest species in state from late spring-late fall; "inland floodwater
mosquito"; larvae in roadside puddles, woodland pools, temporary pools, and river bottoms; continuous
breeding in wet years; survives winter and dry periods in egg stage; adults migrate 15-20 miles or more
from breeding sites and can live for 3-4 weeks; eggs dormant for up to 5 years before flooding prompts
hatching
-*Culex pipiens*: breed in temporary or permanent pools that are high in OM like ditches or sewage
lagoons; females lay eggs in rafts and eggs hatch quickly; responsible for St. Louis encephalitis and West
Nile Virus.
-Both Aedes triseriatus and Culex pipiens breed in "backyard sites" like bird baths, ponds, tree holes,
buckets, tires, and rain barrels.
List the 3 main mosquito-transmitted diseases that occur in WI and know the mosquito vector for each. -
ANSWER -*La Crosse Encephalitis*: Aedes triseriatus
-*West Nile Virus*: Culex pipiens
-*Dog Heartworm*: Aedes vexans
Define the word pesticide and explain how the word differs from specific types of pesticides. - ANSWER -
*Pesticide*: any substance used to directly control pest populations or to prevent or reduce pest damage
-'pesticide' is broad and refers to the killing of any pests. insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide are specific.
