5.0 Aquatic & Mosquito UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
List the roles plants play in a healthy aquatic ecosystem. - CORRECT 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.
- CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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) - CORRECT
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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 -
CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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? - CORRECT ANSWER - WI DNR Aquatic Plant Management Program
List the 2 main reasons why mosquito control may be warranted. - CORRECT ANSWER --
nuisance
-disease
, Describe the 4 stages of the mosquito life cycle, including the main structural features of each -
CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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.
- CORRECT 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.
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
List the roles plants play in a healthy aquatic ecosystem. - CORRECT 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.
- CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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) - CORRECT
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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 -
CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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? - CORRECT ANSWER - WI DNR Aquatic Plant Management Program
List the 2 main reasons why mosquito control may be warranted. - CORRECT ANSWER --
nuisance
-disease
, Describe the 4 stages of the mosquito life cycle, including the main structural features of each -
CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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.
- CORRECT 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.
