3A Turfgrass Pest Management Study Guide

Varieties of grass containing endophyte fungi are an example of: - Answer- Plant resistance. Raking, thatch removal and aeration are examples of: - Answer- Cultural controls. Hand removal, traps, barriers and repellents are examples of: - Answer- Mechanical and physical controls. Example of a turfgrass disease that can be managed with hand removal techniques: - Answer- Slime mold. Turf cannot at the same time benefit from biological control methods and be pest free because: - Answer- There must be a low level of pest or prey insects for the predators to feed on. Why is it important to use both short term suppression and long term maintenance tactics in pest management? - Answer- Usually offers a quick fix, but the pest population will rebuild. Maintenance must be used to reduce pest populations permanently. How can you help maintain existing populations of beneficial organisms in a turf stand? - Answer- By making pesticide applications only when needed. What is the most commonly used microbial insecticide? On what insect larvae is it effective? - Answer- Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, used to control caterpillars. Are microbial insecticides best used for short or long term suppression of pest populations? - Answer- Long term. Microbial insecticides are slower acting and do not kill all of the pests at once, which allows there to be food for other beneficial organisms. Ways to classify pesticides: - Answer- Types of pests Pesticide chemistry Mode of action Pesticide formulation. Benefits of systemic herbicides: - Answer- Superior in treating persistent perennial weeds, kills both above ground and below ground parts of plant. Benefits of broad spectrum pesticides: - Answer- Can be used to control several pests, but mo