Stem Borer Stopper Quiz Quiz

Explore key concepts of wheat pest control with a focus on stem borers and effective agricultural practices. Strengthen your understanding of identification, management techniques, pest life cycles, and sustainable solutions.

1. Identifying Stem Borer Damage

   Which sign most accurately indicates an infestation of stem borers in wheat plants?

   1. Tiny white powdery spots on leaves
   2. Formation of rust-colored pustules
   3. Wilting of roots
   4. Presence of deadheart symptoms in the stem

   Explanation: Deadheart, where the central shoot dries out while leaves remain green, is a classic sign of stem borer infestation. Tiny white powdery spots suggest powdery mildew, wilting roots indicate possible root diseases, and rust-colored pustules are typical of leaf rust—none are specific to stem borers.

2. Cultural Control Methods

   What is an effective cultural method to reduce stem borer incidence in wheat fields?

   1. Deep flooding of the field during growth
   2. Adjusting sowing dates for early planting
   3. Applying excess nitrogen fertilizer
   4. Sprinkling sugar solution on plants

   Explanation: Early planting can help wheat escape peak stem borer activity, reducing infestation. Sugar solutions do not affect pests, excess nitrogen can increase vulnerability to pests, and deep flooding is not practical or common for wheat and may harm plants.

3. Biological Control Agents

   Which beneficial insect is commonly introduced to help control wheat stem borers by parasitizing their larvae?

   1. Lady beetle
   2. Predatory thrips
   3. Aphid midge
   4. Trichogramma wasp

   Explanation: Trichogramma wasps are egg parasitoids widely used for managing stem borer populations. Lady beetles mainly target aphids, aphid midges feed on aphids, and predatory thrips usually prey on other small pests, not stem borers.

4. Chemical Control Timing

   At which crop growth stage is it most effective to apply insecticides against wheat stem borers?

   1. After harvest
   2. During seed drilling
   3. When early deadheart symptoms are first observed
   4. At full grain maturity

   Explanation: Applying insecticides at the appearance of early symptoms targets the pest before serious damage occurs. Application at grain maturity or after harvest is too late, and at seed drilling, stem borers are generally not present.

5. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

   Which practice best reflects the integrated pest management (IPM) approach for controlling wheat stem borers?

   1. Combining resistant varieties, timely planting, and periodic pest monitoring
   2. Planting wheat continuously on the same field
   3. Relying solely on weekly pesticide spraying
   4. Ignoring pest thresholds and treating only at harvest

   Explanation: IPM integrates resistant crop varieties, cultural tactics, and regular monitoring to sustainably manage pests. Solely spraying pesticides can lead to resistance, monoculture increases risk, and ignoring thresholds can result in unnecessary or late treatments.