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Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification
Category 3 Ornamental and Turf Pest Control Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Category 3 Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
Exam
Core Knowledge Areas from the Training Manual
The Informed Pesticide Applicator
According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Training Manual for Ornamental
and Turf Pest Control, commercial applicators must:
1. Know your local Extension agents - Ask for printed information on local pest control
recommendations, pesticide usage, and precautions
2. Be aware of mode of action - Broad spectrum pesticides are non-selective; selective pesticides
target specific pests; systemic pesticides are absorbed by plants
3. Recognize beneficial insects - Ladybird beetles, syrphid flies, and aphid lions; avoid using
pesticides if natural forces will bring pests under control
4. Identify environmental conditions - Temperature extremes, humidity, air pollutants, and
pesticide injury can mimic pest damage
5. Know resistant varieties - Encourage use of turfgrass, flower, tree, and shrub species more
tolerant of Kentucky pests
Key Definitions
Term Definition
Unintentional pesticide damage to plants resulting in abnormal growth, foliar burn, leaf drop, o
Phytotoxicity
discolored leaves
Economic Injury
Pest population density causing losses equal to the cost of control measures
Level
Economic Threshold Pest level at which control action should be taken to prevent reaching economic injury level
LD50 Lethal dose required to kill 50% of test animals (lower number = higher toxicity)
REI (Re-entry
Minimum time before entering treated area without PPE
Interval)
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Term Definition
Systemic Pesticide Absorbed and moved within plant tissues
Selective Pesticide Targets only certain pests
Topic 1: Pest Identification - Turf (Questions 1-25)
1. A golf course superintendent notices irregular patches of wilted, yellow-brown turf that does not
recover after irrigation. Grubs are not present. The damage follows a distinct pattern along the edge of
the fairway. Which pest is the most likely culprit?
A) Black turfgrass ataenius
B) Annual bluegrass weevil larvae
C) Chinch bugs
D) Sod webworms
Answer: C - Chinch bugs cause distinct yellow-to-bronze patches that first appear in sun-exposed,
stressed areas along edges. Unlike grub damage, chinch bug damage does NOT improve with irrigation .
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2. A lawn care technician finds patches of grass that pull up easily, revealing white, C-shaped larvae with
brown heads. The larvae are approximately 1 inch long. What pest is present and what is the optimal
control timing?
A) Chinch bugs; treat in late spring when nymphs emerge
B) White grubs; treat in July-August when larvae are small and near the surface
C) Sod webworms; treat in early spring before larvae pupate
D) Mole crickets; treat in fall after egg hatch
Answer: B - White grubs (Japanese beetle, masked chafer, etc.) are C-shaped, white larvae with brown
heads. Optimal treatment is July-August when newly hatched grubs are feeding near the soil surface .
3. A homeowner notices brown patches on their lawn that appear overnight. Upon closer inspection,
small green or brown caterpillars are visible on the grass blades and thatch. When disturbed, they
wiggle backward rapidly. What pest is present?
A) White grubs
B) Chinch bugs
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C) Sod webworms
D) Armyworms
Answer: D - Armyworms feed on grass blades and can defoliate large areas quickly. They are smooth-
bodied caterpillars that wiggle vigorously when disturbed. Sod webworms are similar but hide in silk-
lined tunnels during the day .
4. A turf manager finds small, black insects with white wings on the backs (visible under magnification)
on the grass stems. The turf is yellowing and thinning. What pest is this?
A) Black cutworm
B) Billbugs
C) Chinch bugs
D) Two-spotted spider mites
Answer: C - Adult chinch bugs are black with white wings folded across their backs. They suck plant
juices, causing yellowing and death. They are most common in hot, dry conditions .
Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification
Category 3 Ornamental and Turf Pest Control Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Category 3 Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
Exam
Core Knowledge Areas from the Training Manual
The Informed Pesticide Applicator
According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Training Manual for Ornamental
and Turf Pest Control, commercial applicators must:
1. Know your local Extension agents - Ask for printed information on local pest control
recommendations, pesticide usage, and precautions
2. Be aware of mode of action - Broad spectrum pesticides are non-selective; selective pesticides
target specific pests; systemic pesticides are absorbed by plants
3. Recognize beneficial insects - Ladybird beetles, syrphid flies, and aphid lions; avoid using
pesticides if natural forces will bring pests under control
4. Identify environmental conditions - Temperature extremes, humidity, air pollutants, and
pesticide injury can mimic pest damage
5. Know resistant varieties - Encourage use of turfgrass, flower, tree, and shrub species more
tolerant of Kentucky pests
Key Definitions
Term Definition
Unintentional pesticide damage to plants resulting in abnormal growth, foliar burn, leaf drop, o
Phytotoxicity
discolored leaves
Economic Injury
Pest population density causing losses equal to the cost of control measures
Level
Economic Threshold Pest level at which control action should be taken to prevent reaching economic injury level
LD50 Lethal dose required to kill 50% of test animals (lower number = higher toxicity)
REI (Re-entry
Minimum time before entering treated area without PPE
Interval)
, Page 2 of 77
Term Definition
Systemic Pesticide Absorbed and moved within plant tissues
Selective Pesticide Targets only certain pests
Topic 1: Pest Identification - Turf (Questions 1-25)
1. A golf course superintendent notices irregular patches of wilted, yellow-brown turf that does not
recover after irrigation. Grubs are not present. The damage follows a distinct pattern along the edge of
the fairway. Which pest is the most likely culprit?
A) Black turfgrass ataenius
B) Annual bluegrass weevil larvae
C) Chinch bugs
D) Sod webworms
Answer: C - Chinch bugs cause distinct yellow-to-bronze patches that first appear in sun-exposed,
stressed areas along edges. Unlike grub damage, chinch bug damage does NOT improve with irrigation .
, Page 3 of 77
2. A lawn care technician finds patches of grass that pull up easily, revealing white, C-shaped larvae with
brown heads. The larvae are approximately 1 inch long. What pest is present and what is the optimal
control timing?
A) Chinch bugs; treat in late spring when nymphs emerge
B) White grubs; treat in July-August when larvae are small and near the surface
C) Sod webworms; treat in early spring before larvae pupate
D) Mole crickets; treat in fall after egg hatch
Answer: B - White grubs (Japanese beetle, masked chafer, etc.) are C-shaped, white larvae with brown
heads. Optimal treatment is July-August when newly hatched grubs are feeding near the soil surface .
3. A homeowner notices brown patches on their lawn that appear overnight. Upon closer inspection,
small green or brown caterpillars are visible on the grass blades and thatch. When disturbed, they
wiggle backward rapidly. What pest is present?
A) White grubs
B) Chinch bugs
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C) Sod webworms
D) Armyworms
Answer: D - Armyworms feed on grass blades and can defoliate large areas quickly. They are smooth-
bodied caterpillars that wiggle vigorously when disturbed. Sod webworms are similar but hide in silk-
lined tunnels during the day .
4. A turf manager finds small, black insects with white wings on the backs (visible under magnification)
on the grass stems. The turf is yellowing and thinning. What pest is this?
A) Black cutworm
B) Billbugs
C) Chinch bugs
D) Two-spotted spider mites
Answer: C - Adult chinch bugs are black with white wings folded across their backs. They suck plant
juices, causing yellowing and death. They are most common in hot, dry conditions .
