Wisconsin
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator
Exam
Review: 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
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
,Wisconsin
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
(allelopath
y)
-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
Ch.2 Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and woody from herbaceous
plants - Answer- -Grasses (Monocots): most common weeds; have a single
seed leaf
(cotyledon) when they germinate; narrow leaves with parallel viens
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
,Wisconsin
-Broadleaves (Dicots): have 2 seed leaves when they germinate; veins form a
net-like or branching pattern; can be broken down into Woody and
Herbaceous plants
--> Woody: have thickened outer layer on stems (bark)
--> Herbaceous: lacks bark
Ch. 2 Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and
perennial plants Answer- -Annuals: live less than 12 months; most seeds
germinate the following year, some are dormant taking several years; prolific
seed producers.
--> Summer Annuals: germinate from seed in spring, flower/produce seeds in
summer, die in late summer/early fall.
--> Winter Annuals: germinate from seed in fall, overwinter as low-growing
plants, flower/produce seeds in spring, then die.
-Biennials: live for 2 growing seasons; germinate from seeds in spring or
summer and produce a rosette of leaves, overwinter in rosette stage, flower
the following year, produce seed, and die.
-Perennials: live for at least 2 years, sometimes longer; may reproduce by
seed or spread vegetatively (stolons, rhizomes, spreading roots, tubers,
bulbs)
Ch.2 Outline what is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and
when it is
easiest to do so - Answer- -Annuals: kill the whole shoot by tillage or with
herbicides
during seeding
stage.
--> Summer Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during
seeding stage.
--> Winter Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during
seeding stage.
-Biennials: best controlled with herbicides during rosette stage.
Perennials: controlled by repeatedly tilling or with herbicides that
translocates to all plant parts.
Ch.2 Distinguish the difference between preplant, preemergence, and
postemergence herbicide applications - Answer- -Preplant: done before
planting.
-Preemergence: usually (not always) done after planting but before
plants/weeds emerge.
-Postemergence: done selectively after plants/weeds emerge; timing is
important; if the desirable plant is smaller or larger than the growth stage
listed on the label, it may be damaged by the herbicide.
Ch.2 Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter, and pH and herbicide
persistence on herbicide activity - Answer- -Fine textured soils or soils with
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
, Wisconsin
high organic matter often require higher herbicide rates than soils with
coarser texture or low organic matter.
-Some herbicides prohibit product use on certain soils with a light texture,
low organic matter, or high pH to guard against excessive plant damage or
herbicide persistence. -Excessive leaching on sandy soils with shallow water
tables may result in groundwater contamination.
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make a basal-bark treatment - Answer- -
Apply spray to
lower 18 inches of
stems
-Thoroughly wet stem, crown, and exposed
roots
-Can make treatments throughout the year as long as the bark is not wet or
when snow
or water prevent spraying to the
ground
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make an effective cut-stump treatment -
Answer- -Recommended for plants with thick bark or trunk is greater than 5
inches in diameter. -Thoroughly wet plant so runoff covers barks, crown buds,
exposed roots, root collar, outer portion of cut surface.
-Should be applied to cut surface before exposed plant tissue dries, within 2-
3 hours.
Ch.2 List steps to take when applying herbicides to minimize adverse effects
in urban areas - Answer- -Prevent spray drift, drift of volatile products, runoff.
-Spray when weeds are most susceptible so the minimum amount of
herbicide results in maximum weed control.
-Use less volatile formations
-Apply on days when temps are less than 80 degrees F
-Avoid spraying during midsummer; garden plants and vegetables are more
susceptible.
-Avoid applying herbicides on dry, compacted soils
-Keep pesticides off impermeable surfaces
Chapter 2 Know the Law - Answer- State and local laws require landowners
to control
certain weeds to prevent their spread and
distribution
Ch.3 Define plant disease and what causes it - Answer- Any harmful
change in the
physiology and/or structure of a plant caused by some
outside agent.
Ch.3 List examples of the major groups of plant pathogens (7) - Answer-
-Fungi (blights)
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator
Exam
Review: 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
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
,Wisconsin
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
(allelopath
y)
-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
Ch.2 Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and woody from herbaceous
plants - Answer- -Grasses (Monocots): most common weeds; have a single
seed leaf
(cotyledon) when they germinate; narrow leaves with parallel viens
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
,Wisconsin
-Broadleaves (Dicots): have 2 seed leaves when they germinate; veins form a
net-like or branching pattern; can be broken down into Woody and
Herbaceous plants
--> Woody: have thickened outer layer on stems (bark)
--> Herbaceous: lacks bark
Ch. 2 Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and
perennial plants Answer- -Annuals: live less than 12 months; most seeds
germinate the following year, some are dormant taking several years; prolific
seed producers.
--> Summer Annuals: germinate from seed in spring, flower/produce seeds in
summer, die in late summer/early fall.
--> Winter Annuals: germinate from seed in fall, overwinter as low-growing
plants, flower/produce seeds in spring, then die.
-Biennials: live for 2 growing seasons; germinate from seeds in spring or
summer and produce a rosette of leaves, overwinter in rosette stage, flower
the following year, produce seed, and die.
-Perennials: live for at least 2 years, sometimes longer; may reproduce by
seed or spread vegetatively (stolons, rhizomes, spreading roots, tubers,
bulbs)
Ch.2 Outline what is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and
when it is
easiest to do so - Answer- -Annuals: kill the whole shoot by tillage or with
herbicides
during seeding
stage.
--> Summer Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during
seeding stage.
--> Winter Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during
seeding stage.
-Biennials: best controlled with herbicides during rosette stage.
Perennials: controlled by repeatedly tilling or with herbicides that
translocates to all plant parts.
Ch.2 Distinguish the difference between preplant, preemergence, and
postemergence herbicide applications - Answer- -Preplant: done before
planting.
-Preemergence: usually (not always) done after planting but before
plants/weeds emerge.
-Postemergence: done selectively after plants/weeds emerge; timing is
important; if the desirable plant is smaller or larger than the growth stage
listed on the label, it may be damaged by the herbicide.
Ch.2 Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter, and pH and herbicide
persistence on herbicide activity - Answer- -Fine textured soils or soils with
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
, Wisconsin
high organic matter often require higher herbicide rates than soils with
coarser texture or low organic matter.
-Some herbicides prohibit product use on certain soils with a light texture,
low organic matter, or high pH to guard against excessive plant damage or
herbicide persistence. -Excessive leaching on sandy soils with shallow water
tables may result in groundwater contamination.
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make a basal-bark treatment - Answer- -
Apply spray to
lower 18 inches of
stems
-Thoroughly wet stem, crown, and exposed
roots
-Can make treatments throughout the year as long as the bark is not wet or
when snow
or water prevent spraying to the
ground
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make an effective cut-stump treatment -
Answer- -Recommended for plants with thick bark or trunk is greater than 5
inches in diameter. -Thoroughly wet plant so runoff covers barks, crown buds,
exposed roots, root collar, outer portion of cut surface.
-Should be applied to cut surface before exposed plant tissue dries, within 2-
3 hours.
Ch.2 List steps to take when applying herbicides to minimize adverse effects
in urban areas - Answer- -Prevent spray drift, drift of volatile products, runoff.
-Spray when weeds are most susceptible so the minimum amount of
herbicide results in maximum weed control.
-Use less volatile formations
-Apply on days when temps are less than 80 degrees F
-Avoid spraying during midsummer; garden plants and vegetables are more
susceptible.
-Avoid applying herbicides on dry, compacted soils
-Keep pesticides off impermeable surfaces
Chapter 2 Know the Law - Answer- State and local laws require landowners
to control
certain weeds to prevent their spread and
distribution
Ch.3 Define plant disease and what causes it - Answer- Any harmful
change in the
physiology and/or structure of a plant caused by some
outside agent.
Ch.3 List examples of the major groups of plant pathogens (7) - Answer-
-Fungi (blights)
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam Review Turf & Landscape
