Defeat the Pink Bollworm Quiz Quiz

Explore key facts about pink bollworm management strategies in cotton cultivation with this easy quiz. Perfect for learners wanting to enhance their agricultural pest control knowledge.

1. Pink Bollworm Identification

   Which stage of the pink bollworm is most damaging to cotton bolls by feeding inside them?

   1. Larva
   2. Egg
   3. Pupa
   4. Adult moth

   Explanation: The larval stage of the pink bollworm is most damaging because larvae bore into and feed inside cotton bolls, ruining the fibers. Eggs are laid on plant surfaces and do not cause direct damage. Adult moths do not feed on cotton, while pupae are the resting stage and do not feed at all.

2. Cultural Control Practices

   Which cultural practice helps reduce pink bollworm populations in cotton fields?

   1. Applying foliar fertilizers
   2. Frequent irrigation
   3. Timely crop residue destruction
   4. Planting cotton late in the season

   Explanation: Destroying crop residues after harvest eliminates overwintering sites for pink bollworm, reducing the population for the next season. Frequent irrigation and foliar fertilizers do not directly impact pest populations. Late planting can increase pest pressure rather than reduce it.

3. Biological Control Agents

   What is one common biological control used against pink bollworm in cotton fields?

   1. Nematodes
   2. Aphids
   3. Trichogramma wasps
   4. Ladybird beetles

   Explanation: Trichogramma wasps are tiny parasitoids that lay eggs inside pink bollworm eggs, destroying them before larvae hatch. Ladybird beetles target aphids, not bollworms. Aphids are pests themselves, not beneficials. Nematodes are mainly used for soil-dwelling pests, not pink bollworm.

4. Resistant Cotton Varieties

   Which type of cotton variety has been genetically modified for better resistance to pink bollworm?

   1. Organic cotton
   2. Upland cotton
   3. Short-staple cotton
   4. Bt cotton

   Explanation: Bt cotton contains a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces proteins toxic to pink bollworm larvae. Short-staple and upland cotton refer to fiber quality, not pest resistance. Organic cotton refers to cultivation methods, not genetic traits for pest control.

5. Chemical Control Timings

   When is the most effective time to apply insecticides to control pink bollworm in cotton fields?

   1. During seedling emergence
   2. After boll opening
   3. At the early larval stage
   4. Midday when temperatures are highest

   Explanation: Applying insecticides at the early larval stage is effective as larvae are more exposed and easier to target before they bore into bolls. After boll opening and during seedling emergence are less effective because the pest is not present or protected. Spraying at midday can lead to loss of chemical efficacy due to higher temperatures.