Georgia Pest Control Practice Test

What is the method of action for pesticides that must be eaten to be effective against pests?

1. Disruption of nerve action

2. Metabolic inhibitors

3. Disruption of muscle action

4. Disruption of insect guts

The correct answer is: Disruption of insect guts

Pesticides that must be ingested by pests to be effective typically operate by disrupting the functioning of the insect's digestive system, which is accurately represented by the choice regarding the disruption of insect guts. When a pest consumes the pesticide, it interferes with the normal processes of digestion and nutrient absorption within the gut. This can lead to starvation, inability to digest food properly, and ultimately the death of the pest. Insect gut disruption is particularly effective for targeting herbivorous insects, as they consume the plant material that contains the pesticide. The active ingredients in these pesticides can affect the gut lining, disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, or even cause a buildup of toxic compounds that the insect cannot process, leading to lethargy and death. The other choices may describe different actions of pesticides but do not specifically relate to the requirement of ingestion for effectiveness. Disruption of nerve action or muscle action pertains more to contact or systemic insecticides that act upon exposure to the pest rather than through ingestion, while metabolic inhibitors relate to broader metabolic processes which may not necessarily require the pest to eat the product for it to be effective.