AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Pest Control Methods

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Pest Control Methods, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify a mechanical control method for pests.

Answer: Using traps or barriers. Physical barriers and devices directly remove or exclude pests.

Flashcard 2: Define 'economic threshold' in pest control.

Answer: The pest density at which control measures should be applied. Cost-benefit analysis determines when control action becomes profitable.

Flashcard 3: Define 'economic threshold' in pest control.

Answer: The pest density at which control measures should be applied. Cost-benefit analysis determines when control action becomes profitable.

Flashcard 4: Which control method involves the use of sterile male pests?

Answer: Biological control. Sterile insect technique reduces reproductive success of pest populations.

Flashcard 5: What is the definition of integrated pest management (IPM)?

Answer: IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy focusing on long-term pest prevention. Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods for sustainable pest management.

Flashcard 6: Which strategy involves using crop residues to control pests?

Answer: Cultural control. Plant debris management affects pest overwintering and reproduction.

Flashcard 7: What is 'biopesticide'?

Answer: A type of pesticide derived from natural materials. Naturally-derived compounds often safer than synthetic chemicals.

Flashcard 8: What does pest tolerance in crops refer to?

Answer: The ability of a crop to withstand pest damage. Plants continue functioning despite pest presence and damage.

Flashcard 9: What is the impact of monoculture on pest populations?

Answer: Increases pest populations. Single crop systems provide abundant resources for specialist pests.

Flashcard 10: What is the primary goal of ecological pest control?

Answer: To enhance ecosystem balance to manage pests. Works with natural processes rather than against them.

Flashcard 11: What is the significance of 'action threshold' in IPM?

Answer: The point at which pest control measures are initiated. Triggers intervention when pest populations reach damaging levels.

Flashcard 12: What is the environmental benefit of biological pest control?

Answer: Reduces chemical residues in the environment. Avoids toxic chemical accumulation in soil and water.

Flashcard 13: Which type of pest control focuses on minimizing habitat suitability?

Answer: Cultural control. Environmental modifications make conditions unfavorable for pest establishment.

Flashcard 14: Identify a pest control strategy that involves habitat diversification.

Answer: Ecological control. Multiple habitats support various natural enemies of pests.

Flashcard 15: What is 'biopesticide'?

Answer: A type of pesticide derived from natural materials. Naturally-derived compounds often safer than synthetic chemicals.

Flashcard 16: Identify a challenge in biological control.

Answer: Establishing a balance without harming non-target species. Requires careful species selection to avoid ecological disruption.

Flashcard 17: Which pest control method uses heat treatments?

Answer: Physical control. Temperature manipulation kills pests without chemical residues.

Flashcard 18: Name a disadvantage of biological pest control.

Answer: It may take longer to reduce pest populations. Natural control agents require time to establish effective populations.

Flashcard 19: Identify one biological control method for pest management.

Answer: Use of natural predators or parasites. Leverages natural ecosystem relationships to control pests sustainably.

Flashcard 20: What is a pheromone trap used for in pest control?

Answer: To attract and capture pests using chemical signals. Species-specific chemicals lure pests for monitoring or control.

Flashcard 21: What is the main disadvantage of chemical pest control?

Answer: Potential development of pest resistance. Repeated exposure leads to evolution of resistant pest populations.

Flashcard 22: Which type of pest control focuses on minimizing habitat suitability?

Answer: Cultural control. Environmental modifications make conditions unfavorable for pest establishment.

Flashcard 23: Identify one biological control method for pest management.

Answer: Use of natural predators or parasites. Leverages natural ecosystem relationships to control pests sustainably.

Flashcard 24: What is the primary goal of ecological pest control?

Answer: To enhance ecosystem balance to manage pests. Works with natural processes rather than against them.

Flashcard 25: What is the role of quarantine in pest management?

Answer: To prevent the importation of foreign pests. Inspection and isolation prevent establishment of invasive species.

Flashcard 26: What is the purpose of regulatory pest control?

Answer: To prevent the introduction and spread of pests. Legal restrictions and inspections control pest movement and establishment.

Flashcard 27: Which approach involves habitat manipulation for pest control?

Answer: Ecological control. Environmental modifications enhance natural pest control processes.

Flashcard 28: Which control method relies on genetic resistance?

Answer: Cultural control. Plant breeding develops varieties with inherent pest resistance.

Flashcard 29: Identify a pest control strategy that involves habitat diversification.

Answer: Ecological control. Multiple habitats support various natural enemies of pests.

Flashcard 30: Identify a practice that supports integrated pest management.

Answer: Regular monitoring of pest populations. Data collection informs timing and necessity of interventions.

Flashcard 31: What is a key feature of IPM?

Answer: Combines multiple pest control methods. Integration reduces reliance on any single control method.

Flashcard 32: Which practice involves altering planting times to avoid pests?

Answer: Cultural control. Timing adjustments disrupt pest reproductive cycles and development.

Flashcard 33: What is the primary aim of chemical pest control?

Answer: To reduce pest populations using pesticides. Direct application of chemical compounds to kill or repel pests.

Flashcard 34: Which IPM step involves monitoring pest populations?

Answer: Pest identification and monitoring. Essential first step to determine when intervention is needed.

Flashcard 35: Which method involves using plant-derived oils for pest control?

Answer: Botanical control. Plant compounds provide natural pest deterrent properties.

Flashcard 36: Which control method relies on genetic resistance?

Answer: Cultural control. Plant breeding develops varieties with inherent pest resistance.

Flashcard 37: Name a non-lethal method to manage pest populations.

Answer: Releasing sterile insects. Reproductive disruption reduces next generation without killing.

Flashcard 38: What is a systemic pesticide?

Answer: A pesticide absorbed by plants to kill pests. Chemical moves through plant tissues to reach feeding pests.

Flashcard 39: Which control method uses reflective mulches?

Answer: Physical control. Light reflection disrupts pest navigation and host finding.

Flashcard 40: Which pest control method uses crop rotation?

Answer: Cultural control. Disrupts pest life cycles by changing host plant availability.

Flashcard 41: Which practice involves altering planting times to avoid pests?

Answer: Cultural control. Timing adjustments disrupt pest reproductive cycles and development.

Flashcard 42: Which method involves adjusting irrigation to manage pests?

Answer: Cultural control. Water management affects pest habitat conditions and survival.

Flashcard 43: Identify one example of a chemical control method.

Answer: Application of insecticides. Direct chemical application for immediate pest mortality.

Flashcard 44: Identify a practice that increases biological control effectiveness.

Answer: Conserving natural enemy habitats. Maintaining beneficial insect populations enhances natural pest suppression.

Flashcard 45: What is the role of quarantine in pest management?

Answer: To prevent the importation of foreign pests. Inspection and isolation prevent establishment of invasive species.

Flashcard 46: What is meant by 'pest resurgence'?

Answer: Increase in pest population after pesticide use. Natural enemies eliminated allow rapid pest population recovery.

Flashcard 47: Identify a key benefit of IPM.

Answer: Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides. Minimizes environmental impact while maintaining crop protection.

Flashcard 48: State one risk of overusing chemical pesticides.

Answer: Development of pesticide-resistant pest strains. Evolutionary pressure selects for resistance in pest populations.

Flashcard 49: What is one advantage of mechanical pest control?

Answer: Immediate reduction of pest numbers. Physical removal provides instant results without chemical residues.

Flashcard 50: What is the main disadvantage of chemical pest control?

Answer: Potential development of pest resistance. Repeated exposure leads to evolution of resistant pest populations.

Flashcard 51: Which method involves adjusting irrigation to manage pests?

Answer: Cultural control. Water management affects pest habitat conditions and survival.

Flashcard 52: Which approach involves habitat manipulation for pest control?

Answer: Ecological control. Environmental modifications enhance natural pest control processes.

Flashcard 53: Identify a challenge in biological control.

Answer: Establishing a balance without harming non-target species. Requires careful species selection to avoid ecological disruption.

Flashcard 54: Which IPM step involves monitoring pest populations?

Answer: Pest identification and monitoring. Essential first step to determine when intervention is needed.