Guarding Garlic: Termite & Grub Control Quiz Quiz

Sharpen your knowledge of garlic pest management strategies focusing on termites and grubs. Explore identification, prevention, and integrated techniques relevant to horticulture.

1. Termite Damage Signs

   Which visible sign most reliably indicates termite infestation in garlic beds?

   1. Yellowing of garlic leaves only
   2. Sticky residue on leaves
   3. Hollow or weakened garlic stems
   4. Excessively large bulbs

   Explanation: Hollow or weakened stems suggest termites have tunneled inside, disrupting tissue integrity. Yellowing leaves alone can result from nutrient deficiency. Sticky residue is more typical of aphids or whiteflies, and overly large bulbs are unrelated to pest damage.

2. Identifying White Grubs

   A farmer discovers curled, whitish larvae with brown heads beneath garlic plants. Which pest are these most likely to be?

   1. Leaf miners
   2. Nematodes
   3. Wireworms
   4. White grubs

   Explanation: Curled, C-shaped white larvae with brown heads are a classic sign of white grubs. Nematodes are microscopic and not visible to the naked eye, leaf miners appear inside leaf tissue, and wireworms are thin and straight, not C-shaped.

3. Preventing Grub Outbreaks

   Which soil management practice best reduces white grub risk before garlic planting?

   1. Applying foliar fertilizers only
   2. Increasing irrigation frequency
   3. Deep plowing after harvest
   4. Keeping crop residue on the field

   Explanation: Deep plowing exposes grubs to predators and environmental stresses, reducing their numbers. More frequent irrigation or only using foliar fertilizers does not target soil-dwelling pests, and leaving crop residues can harbor grubs.

4. Chemical Control Decision

   If garlic fields are heavily infested with root-feeding termites, what is the main reason for selecting a targeted soil insecticide over a broad-spectrum foliar spray?

   1. Termites live in the soil, not on foliage
   2. Foliar sprays increase bulb size
   3. Broad-spectrum sprays support beneficial insects
   4. Soil insecticides are more expensive

   Explanation: Termites feed on underground parts, so soil-targeted insecticides are effective. Foliar sprays act on above-ground insects, not soil pests. While cost varies, the key factor is pest location. Broad-spectrum sprays generally harm beneficials, not support them.

5. Integrated Pest Management

   In an IPM approach, which combination is most effective for long-term garlic grub and termite control?

   1. Applying manure every week
   2. Crop rotation, field sanitation, and targeted pesticide use
   3. Only frequent pesticide application
   4. Using colored sticky traps exclusively

   Explanation: Combining crop rotation, sanitation, and precise chemical use addresses pests' life cycles and habitats, resulting in sustainable control. Relying only on chemicals can foster resistance. Excess manure may worsen pest issues, and sticky traps are not effective against soil pests.