Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What type of pesticide route involves insects ingesting poison through grooming or feeding?

1. Contact

2. Respiration

3. Ingestion

4. Cacophony

The correct answer is: Ingestion

The correct type of pesticide route that involves insects ingesting poison through grooming or feeding is ingestion. This method of pesticide action is crucial because it allows for the active ingredient to enter the insect's system directly through the digestive tract. When an insect consumes a treated surface or feeds on a plant that has been treated with an ingestion-based pesticide, the chemical is absorbed into its body, leading to toxicity. Certain pesticides are specifically formulated for ingestion to target pests that are most likely to consume the treated materials, making this route particularly effective. Ingestion is a vital route in pest management strategies as it can tackle pests more efficiently than contact or respiratory methods in some cases. Routes like contact involve the pesticide being applied to the surface of the insect, while respiration pertains to the insect taking in harmful substances through airways, neither of which directly involves ingestion. Other options, such as cacophony, do not relate to pesticide routes and serve as distractions in the context of this question. Understanding this concept is fundamental for pest management professionals in choosing the right pesticide treatment strategies effectively.