General Pest Management Category 7A Exam
2026/2027 | 350 Verified Questions & Answers
| Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification
Prep | 7 Core Domains | Instant Download
Domain 1: Pest Identification and Biology
• 1. Which of the following is a key characteristic of insects in the order
Diptera?
o A. Two pairs of wings
o B. One pair of wings
o C. No wings
o D. Chewing mouthparts
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Diptera, which includes flies and mosquitoes, are
characterized by having only one pair of functional wings. The hind
wings are reduced to small, knob-like structures called halteres,
which are used for balance during flight. This is a defining feature of
the order.
• 2. The primary difference between a cockroach nymph and an adult is:
o A. The nymph has wings.
o B. The adult has wings.
o C. The nymph is always white.
o D. The adult has fewer legs.
o Correct Answer: B
, o Rationale: Cockroaches undergo gradual metamorphosis
(hemimetabolous). The nymphs resemble the adults but are smaller
and lack fully developed wings and reproductive organs. The
presence of wings is a key feature of the adult stage for most species.
• 3. Which pest is known for its ability to jump long distances using
powerful hind legs?
o A. Earwig
o B. Silverfish
o C. Flea
o D. Tick
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Fleas are ectoparasites known for their remarkable
jumping ability, which allows them to move between hosts. This is a
primary method of dispersal and host location. Earwigs and silverfish
are crawlers, and ticks are crawlers that wait for hosts to pass by.
• 4. The scientific name for the German cockroach is:
o A. Periplaneta americana
o B. Blattella germanica
o C. Supella longipalpa
o D. Blatta orientalis
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Blattella germanica is the scientific name for the
German cockroach. Periplaneta americana is the American
cockroach, Supella longipalpa is the brown-banded cockroach, and
Blatta orientalis is the Oriental cockroach. Correct identification is
crucial for effective control.
,• 5. Which of the following is a commensal rodent?
o A. Deer mouse
o B. House mouse
o C. Vole
o D. Shrew
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a commensal
rodent, meaning it lives in close association with humans, often
relying on human structures for shelter and food. Deer mice, voles,
and shrews are more commonly found in natural or peridomestic
environments.
• 6. An insect with a complete metamorphosis life cycle goes through which
stages in order?
o A. Egg, nymph, adult
o B. Egg, larva, pupa, adult
o C. Egg, pupa, larva, adult
o D. Larva, nymph, adult
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Complete metamorphosis (holometabolous
development) consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and
adult. This is seen in insects like beetles, butterflies, and flies.
Incomplete metamorphosis has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
• 7. The key identifying feature of a tick is that it has:
o A. Three body regions.
o B. Six legs as an adult.
, o C. A single, fused body region.
o D. Antennae.
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Ticks are arachnids, not insects. As adults and nymphs,
they have four pairs of legs and a single, fused body region (the
cephalothorax and abdomen are fused). They lack antennae and
wings.
• 8. Which ant species is known for its habit of nesting in wall voids and
using electrical wiring, sometimes causing shorts?
o A. Carpenter ant
o B. Pharaoh ant
o C. Fire ant
o D. Pavement ant
o Correct Answer: A
o Rationale: Carpenter ants often nest in wood and can establish
satellite nests in wall voids, insulation, and other hidden areas. They
are known to be attracted to electrical fields and can cause damage
by chewing through insulation on wires.
• 9. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is best described as:
o A. A flying insect.
o B. A parasitic insect that feeds on blood.
o C. A scavenger that feeds on dead insects.
o D. A wood-destroying insect.
o Correct Answer: B
2026/2027 | 350 Verified Questions & Answers
| Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification
Prep | 7 Core Domains | Instant Download
Domain 1: Pest Identification and Biology
• 1. Which of the following is a key characteristic of insects in the order
Diptera?
o A. Two pairs of wings
o B. One pair of wings
o C. No wings
o D. Chewing mouthparts
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Diptera, which includes flies and mosquitoes, are
characterized by having only one pair of functional wings. The hind
wings are reduced to small, knob-like structures called halteres,
which are used for balance during flight. This is a defining feature of
the order.
• 2. The primary difference between a cockroach nymph and an adult is:
o A. The nymph has wings.
o B. The adult has wings.
o C. The nymph is always white.
o D. The adult has fewer legs.
o Correct Answer: B
, o Rationale: Cockroaches undergo gradual metamorphosis
(hemimetabolous). The nymphs resemble the adults but are smaller
and lack fully developed wings and reproductive organs. The
presence of wings is a key feature of the adult stage for most species.
• 3. Which pest is known for its ability to jump long distances using
powerful hind legs?
o A. Earwig
o B. Silverfish
o C. Flea
o D. Tick
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Fleas are ectoparasites known for their remarkable
jumping ability, which allows them to move between hosts. This is a
primary method of dispersal and host location. Earwigs and silverfish
are crawlers, and ticks are crawlers that wait for hosts to pass by.
• 4. The scientific name for the German cockroach is:
o A. Periplaneta americana
o B. Blattella germanica
o C. Supella longipalpa
o D. Blatta orientalis
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Blattella germanica is the scientific name for the
German cockroach. Periplaneta americana is the American
cockroach, Supella longipalpa is the brown-banded cockroach, and
Blatta orientalis is the Oriental cockroach. Correct identification is
crucial for effective control.
,• 5. Which of the following is a commensal rodent?
o A. Deer mouse
o B. House mouse
o C. Vole
o D. Shrew
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a commensal
rodent, meaning it lives in close association with humans, often
relying on human structures for shelter and food. Deer mice, voles,
and shrews are more commonly found in natural or peridomestic
environments.
• 6. An insect with a complete metamorphosis life cycle goes through which
stages in order?
o A. Egg, nymph, adult
o B. Egg, larva, pupa, adult
o C. Egg, pupa, larva, adult
o D. Larva, nymph, adult
o Correct Answer: B
o Rationale: Complete metamorphosis (holometabolous
development) consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and
adult. This is seen in insects like beetles, butterflies, and flies.
Incomplete metamorphosis has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
• 7. The key identifying feature of a tick is that it has:
o A. Three body regions.
o B. Six legs as an adult.
, o C. A single, fused body region.
o D. Antennae.
o Correct Answer: C
o Rationale: Ticks are arachnids, not insects. As adults and nymphs,
they have four pairs of legs and a single, fused body region (the
cephalothorax and abdomen are fused). They lack antennae and
wings.
• 8. Which ant species is known for its habit of nesting in wall voids and
using electrical wiring, sometimes causing shorts?
o A. Carpenter ant
o B. Pharaoh ant
o C. Fire ant
o D. Pavement ant
o Correct Answer: A
o Rationale: Carpenter ants often nest in wood and can establish
satellite nests in wall voids, insulation, and other hidden areas. They
are known to be attracted to electrical fields and can cause damage
by chewing through insulation on wires.
• 9. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is best described as:
o A. A flying insect.
o B. A parasitic insect that feeds on blood.
o C. A scavenger that feeds on dead insects.
o D. A wood-destroying insect.
o Correct Answer: B
