Sucking Pest Busters Quiz Quiz

Challenge your knowledge on integrated pest management of sucking pests in chili crops, focusing on identification, damage symptoms, and effective control strategies.

1. Identifying Common Sucking Pests

   Which of the following is a major sucking pest known to attack chili plants by feeding on their sap, causing leaf curl and stunted growth?

   1. Fruit borers
   2. Aphids
   3. Root weevils
   4. Cutworms

   Explanation: Aphids are well-known sucking pests that feed on chili plant sap, leading to leaf curling and stunted growth. Fruit borers are chewing pests, not suckers. Root weevils primarily attack roots, and cutworms are caterpillars that cut seedlings at soil level, not sap feeders.

2. Recognizing Pest Damage

   If chili plants show yellowing, curling leaves, and sticky honeydew on lower leaf surfaces, which pest is most likely responsible?

   1. Armyworms
   2. Red spider mites
   3. Leaf miners
   4. Whiteflies

   Explanation: Whiteflies excrete honeydew, causing sticky deposits and promote fungal growth, alongside yellowing and leaf curling. Leaf miners create tunnels in leaves, armyworms chew on foliage, and red spider mites cause stippling or bronzing rather than sticky honeydew.

3. Natural Enemies Benefit

   What is the primary benefit of conserving ladybird beetles in chili fields infested with sucking pests?

   1. They control fungal diseases
   2. They prey on aphids
   3. They increase soil nutrients
   4. They pollinate the flowers

   Explanation: Ladybird beetles are natural predators of aphids and other sucking pests. They do not function as pollinators for chili, do not add nutrients to soil, nor do they directly control plant fungal diseases.

4. Spray Timing for Control

   For effective chemical control of thrips in chili, when should insecticide spray typically be applied?

   1. At early infestation
   2. After heavy damage is visible
   3. After leaf fall
   4. During fruit ripening

   Explanation: Spraying at early infestation helps prevent thrips populations from escalating. Applying spray after heavy damage or during fruit ripening is less effective, and after leaf fall is usually too late to manage the pest or benefit the crop.

5. Cultural Practices for Pest Management

   Which of the following cultural practices helps reduce the buildup of sucking pest populations in chili cultivation?

   1. Delaying planting date
   2. Removing weeds regularly
   3. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer
   4. Planting closer spacing

   Explanation: Weeds can host sucking pests and removing them reduces pest carry-over. Closer spacing may increase pest spread, excess nitrogen can make plants more attractive to pests, and delaying planting may not align with local best practices and could expose plants to more pests.