WI Pesticide Applicator Turf & Landscape
3.0
Describe the kinds of damage arthropod pests can cause.
Chewing, tunneling, Galls, Inject toxins, transmit diseases
Describe the structural features of arthropods including how their mouthparts determine what
kind of damage they can cause.
Jointed body,
What kinds of damage can arthropod pests cause?
Physical, physiological, and behavioral damage.
What are the structural features of arthropods?
Jointed appendages, exoskeleton, segmented body.
How can you distinguish insects from other arthropods?
Three body segments, six legs, wings (if present).
What are the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis?
Simple: egg, nymph, adult. Complete: egg, larva, pupa, adult.
Why is it important to know what kind of metamorphosis a pest goes through?
To determine the most effective control methods.
How do temperature and humidity affect insect development?
Higher temps and humidity can speed up development.
What are some characteristics of common insect pests?
Small size, high reproductive rate, short generation time.
,What are the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides?
Advantages: effective, fast-acting. Disadvantages: can harm non-target organisms, can lead to
resistance.
What determines whether a given plant is a weed?
A plant is considered a weed if it is unwanted or interferes with human activities.
List the two main goals of weed management.
To reduce weed populations and prevent new weeds from establishing.
Describe ways that weeds can pose problems in turf and landscapes.
Weeds can compete with desirable plants for resources, reduce aesthetic value, and harbor
pests and diseases.
Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and herbaceous from woody plants.
Grasses have narrow leaves and are herbaceous, while broadleaf plants have wider leaves and
can be herbaceous or woody.
Describe the life cycles of annual, biennial, and perennial plants and how they reproduce.
Annuals complete their life cycle in one year, biennials in two years, and perennials live for
multiple years. They reproduce through seeds, vegetative reproduction, or both.
Outline what is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and when it is easiest to do
so.
Annuals can be killed with preemergence herbicides, biennials with postemergence herbicides,
and perennials with systemic herbicides. It is easiest to kill weeds when they are young and
actively growing.
Explain the difference between preplant, preemergence, and postemergence herbicide
applications.
Preplant herbicides are applied before planting, preemergence herbicides are applied before
weed seeds germinate, and postemergence herbicides are applied after weeds have emerged.
Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter and other soil factors on herbicide activity.
, Soil texture and organic matter can affect herbicide absorption and movement in the soil. Soil
pH and moisture can also affect herbicide activity.
Describe how and when to make a basal-bark treatment.
A basal-bark treatment involves applying herbicide to the lower 12-18 inches of the stem. It is
typically done in the dormant season when leaves have fallen.
Describe how and when to make an effective cut-stump treatment.
A cut-stump treatment involves applying herbicide to the freshly cut surface of a tree or shrub. It
is typically done immediately after cutting.
List steps to take when applying herbicides to minimize adverse effects in urban areas.
Choose the right herbicide, apply at the right time, use the right equipment, and follow label
instructions. Avoid drift and runoff, and consider non-chemical alternatives.
Define plant disease and what causes disease.
Plant disease is an abnormal condition that alters the plant's normal structure, function, or
economic value. It is caused by biotic or abiotic agents.
List the major groups of plant pathogens and describe how each are spread from plant to plant.
Major groups of plant pathogens include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and parasitic
plants. They are spread through air, water, soil, and vectors.
List the four requirements for plant disease to occur.
Host, pathogen, environment, and time.
Describe clues that will help you to distinguish plant disease from plant injury.
Disease symptoms are often systemic, while injury is localized. Disease symptoms may include
discoloration, wilting, and stunted growth.
List examples of abiotic agents that induce plant injury.
Temperature, light, moisture, chemicals, and mechanical injury.
List factors that call for using pesticides for disease control.
Economic threshold, severity of disease, and environmental impact.
3.0
Describe the kinds of damage arthropod pests can cause.
Chewing, tunneling, Galls, Inject toxins, transmit diseases
Describe the structural features of arthropods including how their mouthparts determine what
kind of damage they can cause.
Jointed body,
What kinds of damage can arthropod pests cause?
Physical, physiological, and behavioral damage.
What are the structural features of arthropods?
Jointed appendages, exoskeleton, segmented body.
How can you distinguish insects from other arthropods?
Three body segments, six legs, wings (if present).
What are the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis?
Simple: egg, nymph, adult. Complete: egg, larva, pupa, adult.
Why is it important to know what kind of metamorphosis a pest goes through?
To determine the most effective control methods.
How do temperature and humidity affect insect development?
Higher temps and humidity can speed up development.
What are some characteristics of common insect pests?
Small size, high reproductive rate, short generation time.
,What are the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides?
Advantages: effective, fast-acting. Disadvantages: can harm non-target organisms, can lead to
resistance.
What determines whether a given plant is a weed?
A plant is considered a weed if it is unwanted or interferes with human activities.
List the two main goals of weed management.
To reduce weed populations and prevent new weeds from establishing.
Describe ways that weeds can pose problems in turf and landscapes.
Weeds can compete with desirable plants for resources, reduce aesthetic value, and harbor
pests and diseases.
Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and herbaceous from woody plants.
Grasses have narrow leaves and are herbaceous, while broadleaf plants have wider leaves and
can be herbaceous or woody.
Describe the life cycles of annual, biennial, and perennial plants and how they reproduce.
Annuals complete their life cycle in one year, biennials in two years, and perennials live for
multiple years. They reproduce through seeds, vegetative reproduction, or both.
Outline what is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and when it is easiest to do
so.
Annuals can be killed with preemergence herbicides, biennials with postemergence herbicides,
and perennials with systemic herbicides. It is easiest to kill weeds when they are young and
actively growing.
Explain the difference between preplant, preemergence, and postemergence herbicide
applications.
Preplant herbicides are applied before planting, preemergence herbicides are applied before
weed seeds germinate, and postemergence herbicides are applied after weeds have emerged.
Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter and other soil factors on herbicide activity.
, Soil texture and organic matter can affect herbicide absorption and movement in the soil. Soil
pH and moisture can also affect herbicide activity.
Describe how and when to make a basal-bark treatment.
A basal-bark treatment involves applying herbicide to the lower 12-18 inches of the stem. It is
typically done in the dormant season when leaves have fallen.
Describe how and when to make an effective cut-stump treatment.
A cut-stump treatment involves applying herbicide to the freshly cut surface of a tree or shrub. It
is typically done immediately after cutting.
List steps to take when applying herbicides to minimize adverse effects in urban areas.
Choose the right herbicide, apply at the right time, use the right equipment, and follow label
instructions. Avoid drift and runoff, and consider non-chemical alternatives.
Define plant disease and what causes disease.
Plant disease is an abnormal condition that alters the plant's normal structure, function, or
economic value. It is caused by biotic or abiotic agents.
List the major groups of plant pathogens and describe how each are spread from plant to plant.
Major groups of plant pathogens include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and parasitic
plants. They are spread through air, water, soil, and vectors.
List the four requirements for plant disease to occur.
Host, pathogen, environment, and time.
Describe clues that will help you to distinguish plant disease from plant injury.
Disease symptoms are often systemic, while injury is localized. Disease symptoms may include
discoloration, wilting, and stunted growth.
List examples of abiotic agents that induce plant injury.
Temperature, light, moisture, chemicals, and mechanical injury.
List factors that call for using pesticides for disease control.
Economic threshold, severity of disease, and environmental impact.
