Pest Control
Overview
A field of healthy maize can be stripped to bare stalks in days when an army of caterpillars marches through it, and a thriving vegetable crop can be slowly drained by clouds of tiny aphids that you have to look closely to see. Pests are animals, mostly insects, that damage crops, and learning how each one lives is the first step to stopping it.
In this lesson you will follow the life cycle of a named insect pest, see how biting, sucking and boring pests damage crops in different ways, and learn the four families of control: chemical (contact and systemic pesticides), biological, biotechnical and cultural. You will learn why crop rotation breaks a pest's life cycle and how a systemic pesticide reaches a pest hidden inside the plant.
Objectives
- (a) describe the life cycle, effect and method of spread of one pest from each of the following: • biting and chewing pests (e.g. grasshoppers, locusts, termites, leaf miners and beetles) • piercing and sucking pests (e.g. aphids, Bagrada bugs, mealy bugs and scale insects) • boring pests (e.g. weevils, stalk borer and American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)).
- (b) name and describe the mode of action of chemical controls for pests including contact pesticides and systemic pesticides and understand the appropriate use of these pesticides in controlling pests in the groups listed above.
- (c) describe biological and biotechnical methods of controlling pests.
- (d) describe methods of cultural pest control including rotation and catch cropping.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Pest Control. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Aphids damage crops mainly because they: A. Chew the leaves down to the veins B. Pierce the plant, suck sap and spread viruses C. Bore into the grain D. Eat the roots Answer: B
- Which stage of the African armyworm causes the damage to crops? A. Egg B. Larva (caterpillar) C. Pupa D. Adult moth Answer: B
- A systemic pesticide controls a pest by: A. Killing it only where the spray touches it B. Being absorbed into the plant so the pest is killed when it feeds C. Trapping it with a scent D. Drowning it Answer: B
- Crop rotation helps to control pests because it: A. Adds nutrients to the soil only B. Breaks the pest's life cycle by removing its food crop C. Increases the number of pests D. Replaces the need for harvesting Answer: B
- Which of these is an example of biological pest control? A. Spraying a contact insecticide B. Using ladybirds to eat aphids C. Ploughing the field D. Diluting a herbicide Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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