Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the ACE Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Practice this question and more.

What can be an effect of using low rates of insecticides?

Immediate pest eradication
Reduced environmental impact
Survival of slightly resistant individuals leading to resistance development
Enhanced effectiveness of pesticides

The correct answer is: Survival of slightly resistant individuals leading to resistance development

Using low rates of insecticides can lead to the survival of slightly resistant individuals within a pest population. This situation arises because if the concentration of the insecticide is not sufficient to effectively kill all individuals, some pests that have developed partial resistance may survive the treatment. Over time, these surviving individuals can reproduce and pass on their resistant traits to subsequent generations, leading to a population that is more resistant to that insecticide. This phenomenon is a significant concern in pest management, as it can reduce the overall effectiveness of the insecticide and require higher doses or different products to achieve pest control in the future, potentially exacerbating resistance issues. While low rates might have a reduced initial impact on pests and may seem to lessen environmental hazards in the short term, the long-term implications of increased resistance can negate these benefits. Immediate pest eradication is unlikely with low rates, and enhanced effectiveness typically requires higher concentrations or different strategies.