Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What does the term "broad-spectrum" in pesticides mean?

1. Toxic to specific pests only

2. Non-toxic to beneficial insects

3. Toxic to a wide variety of arthropods

4. Degradable in the environment

The correct answer is: Toxic to a wide variety of arthropods

The term "broad-spectrum" in relation to pesticides refers to a chemical that is toxic to a wide variety of arthropods. This means that such pesticides are designed to affect multiple types of pests, rather than targeting only a specific pest species. Broad-spectrum pesticides are often favored for their effectiveness against a range of harmful insects, making them useful in scenarios where there are multiple pest species present. In contrast, pesticides that are classified as narrow-spectrum typically target only a limited number of pests, which can help preserve beneficial insects and other non-target organisms. When considering the broader ecological impact, broad-spectrum pesticides may pose a greater risk to these non-target species, including beneficial organisms that can aid in pest control or contribute to ecosystem health. The other options essentially describe characteristics that are not part of the definition of broad-spectrum pesticides. For instance, while some pesticides may indeed be non-toxic to beneficial insects or are designed to degrade over time, these are not defining features associated with the term "broad-spectrum." Rather, they reflect different aspects of pesticide classification and use.