Ornamental Plant Pest Management
(Category 3B) – Michigan UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Abiotic disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - A non-pest plant stress such as improper
nutrition, too much or too little water, winter or frost injury
Action threshold - CORRECT ANSWER - The pest density at which action (such as
pesticide application) is justified to prevent further damage.
Aesthetic injury level - CORRECT ANSWER - The point at which damage from a pest
becomes noticeable enough to negatively affect the visible quality of the plant. This may vary,
based in part on the distance the plant is located from walkways (and therefore, on the likelihood
of the damage being observed).
Allelopathy - CORRECT ANSWER - When one plant suppresses the growth of another.
For example, walnut trees produce chemicals that will not allow plants to grow under their
canopies
Basal drench - CORRECT ANSWER - The mixing of a pesticide in a small volume of
water and applying to a 12- to 18-inch strip around the base of a tree or shrub. These compounds
are normally systemic and are absorbed by the roots of the plant.
Biochemical pesticide - CORRECT ANSWER - A biologically derived chemical such as
insect sex pheromones that are used for pest control. They have the advantages of being non-
toxic and specific for controlling a particular species of pest.
Biological control - CORRECT ANSWER - A method of controlling a pest by
encouraging and using natural controls such as parasitism, predation, and naturally occurring
diseases
, Broad-spectrum - CORRECT ANSWER - A pesticide that affects a wide range of target
species.
Cankers - CORRECT ANSWER - Irregular areas of damaged, diseased or dead tissue on
the trunk and stems of woody plants. These may be various colors and may be moist or dry.
Chemosterilants - CORRECT ANSWER - A chemical compound that causes reproductive
sterility in an organism.
Chlorosis - CORRECT ANSWER - A condition in which leaves are not producing
chlorophyll and are yellowed, often caused by a nutrient deficiency.
Cornicles - CORRECT ANSWER - The pair of "tailpipes" on the top and to the rear of the
abdomen that are unique to aphids. These produce alarm chemicals to warn other aphids of
approaching danger.
Cultural Control - CORRECT ANSWER - The practice of modifying a plant's growing
environment to reduce unwanted pests (for example, by changing fertility levels, irrigation
practices, sunlight exposure, mowing height or temperature).
Curatives - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of pesticide that will remove a pest after it has
begun to attack a plant. This is different from preventative pesticides, which must be applied
before the pest arrives in order to work.
Degree days - CORRECT ANSWER - One method for measuring the occurrence of
temperatures above a growth threshold. Tracking accumulation of these is a good way to
determine when certain events will occur, such as a certain insect hatching or certain plants
flowering.
Disease - CORRECT ANSWER - A pathological condition affecting a part, organ or
system of an organism that results from various causes (such as infection, genetic defect or
environmental stress) and is characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.
(Category 3B) – Michigan UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Abiotic disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - A non-pest plant stress such as improper
nutrition, too much or too little water, winter or frost injury
Action threshold - CORRECT ANSWER - The pest density at which action (such as
pesticide application) is justified to prevent further damage.
Aesthetic injury level - CORRECT ANSWER - The point at which damage from a pest
becomes noticeable enough to negatively affect the visible quality of the plant. This may vary,
based in part on the distance the plant is located from walkways (and therefore, on the likelihood
of the damage being observed).
Allelopathy - CORRECT ANSWER - When one plant suppresses the growth of another.
For example, walnut trees produce chemicals that will not allow plants to grow under their
canopies
Basal drench - CORRECT ANSWER - The mixing of a pesticide in a small volume of
water and applying to a 12- to 18-inch strip around the base of a tree or shrub. These compounds
are normally systemic and are absorbed by the roots of the plant.
Biochemical pesticide - CORRECT ANSWER - A biologically derived chemical such as
insect sex pheromones that are used for pest control. They have the advantages of being non-
toxic and specific for controlling a particular species of pest.
Biological control - CORRECT ANSWER - A method of controlling a pest by
encouraging and using natural controls such as parasitism, predation, and naturally occurring
diseases
, Broad-spectrum - CORRECT ANSWER - A pesticide that affects a wide range of target
species.
Cankers - CORRECT ANSWER - Irregular areas of damaged, diseased or dead tissue on
the trunk and stems of woody plants. These may be various colors and may be moist or dry.
Chemosterilants - CORRECT ANSWER - A chemical compound that causes reproductive
sterility in an organism.
Chlorosis - CORRECT ANSWER - A condition in which leaves are not producing
chlorophyll and are yellowed, often caused by a nutrient deficiency.
Cornicles - CORRECT ANSWER - The pair of "tailpipes" on the top and to the rear of the
abdomen that are unique to aphids. These produce alarm chemicals to warn other aphids of
approaching danger.
Cultural Control - CORRECT ANSWER - The practice of modifying a plant's growing
environment to reduce unwanted pests (for example, by changing fertility levels, irrigation
practices, sunlight exposure, mowing height or temperature).
Curatives - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of pesticide that will remove a pest after it has
begun to attack a plant. This is different from preventative pesticides, which must be applied
before the pest arrives in order to work.
Degree days - CORRECT ANSWER - One method for measuring the occurrence of
temperatures above a growth threshold. Tracking accumulation of these is a good way to
determine when certain events will occur, such as a certain insect hatching or certain plants
flowering.
Disease - CORRECT ANSWER - A pathological condition affecting a part, organ or
system of an organism that results from various causes (such as infection, genetic defect or
environmental stress) and is characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.
