Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

According to the pest triangle concept, what three essentials do pests need to thrive?

1. Air, temperature, sustenance

2. Food, water, harborage

3. Soil, shelter, safety

4. Light, food, predators

The correct answer is: Food, water, harborage

The pest triangle concept is an important principle in pest management that highlights the key factors necessary for pests to thrive. The correct choice identifies food, water, and harborage as the three essentials. Food provides the necessary nutrients that pests need to grow, reproduce, and maintain their metabolic processes. Water is crucial as it is needed for hydration and various physiological functions. Harborage refers to suitable shelter or a place where pests can hide, breed, and find protection from predators and adverse environmental conditions. Together, these three components create an environment conducive to pest development and population growth. By understanding this concept, pest management professionals can effectively target interventions to remove or disrupt these essentials, thereby managing pest populations more effectively.