Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

In what year was DDT discovered and by whom?

1. 1940, by Paul Hermann Muller

2. 1935, by John Southall

3. 1950, by Rachel Carson

4. 1925, by Winston Churchill

The correct answer is: 1940, by Paul Hermann Muller

The discovery of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) is attributed to Paul Hermann Müller, a Swiss chemist, in the year 1939, although it became widely recognized and utilized in the early 1940s. Müller's work led to the commercialization of DDT as an insecticide during World War II, significantly impacting public health by controlling mosquito populations and preventing the spread of malaria and other insect-borne diseases. Müller's discovery was particularly notable for its effectiveness, leading him to receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1948 for his contributions to the field of insecticides. The options that mention other individuals or incorrect years do not align with the historical context and achievements associated with DDT's discovery and its impact on pest control and public health.