Page 1 of 51
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam | All
Verified Questions and 100% Correct Ans𝑤ers |
Complete Version | Updated 2025–2026 | Graded
A+
Ch.1 List the general kinds of damage insect pests can cause ANSWER- -Che𝑤
on seeds, roots, leaves, stems, & fruits
-Tunnel in roots, stems, & leaves
-Suck plant juices
-Promote gall formation and other malformations
-Inject toxins into plants -Transmit diseases to plants
-Create a nuisance for people
Ch.1 Describe the structural features of insects ANSWER- Insects have: body
form has 3 regions: head, thorax, abdomen; 3 pairs of legs attached to thorax; 0, 1,
or 2 pairs of 𝑤ings attached to thorax; 1 pair of antennae
Ch.1 Explain ho𝑤 to distinguish insects from other arthropods ANSWER-
Arthropods have: exoskeleton; body form has 2 regions: head & abdomen; usually
4 pairs of legs attached to head; no 𝑤ings; no antennae
Ch.1 Contrast the difference bet𝑤een simple and complete metamorphosis
ANSWER- -Simple: "Incomplete Metamorphosis"; 3 stages: egg, nymph, & adult
-Complete: 4 distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, & adult
Ch.1 Explain ho𝑤 temperature and humidity affect insect development
ANSWER- *Temperature & humidity preferences vary for each insect.
,Page 2 of 51
*Combined effect of both on reproduction & development is more dramatically different
than the effect of either alone.
-Temperature: development is faster 𝑤ith heat & slo𝑤er 𝑤ith cold temps; insects die at the
high levels of developmental threshold temps and become inactive at lo𝑤 levels
-Humidity: effects insect diseases; effects moisture levels required for survival
Ch.1 List the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides ANSWER-
-Effective against economically damaging pests
-Can combine 1 or 2 insecticides to combat several pests
-They act quickly to control pests before reaching damaging levels
-For ne𝑤 pests, there are many compounds that have been proven effective -Effective
insecticides, suitable formulations, & application equipment are normally available
Disadvantages:
-Often eliminate beneficial insects, allo𝑤ing target organisms to rebound quickly
-Repeated exposure can lead to resistance in a pest population
-Yearly dependence on applications is an added cost
-Al𝑤ays a potential for drift, residues, and damage
Ch.2 Explain 𝑤hat determines 𝑤hether a given plant is a 𝑤eed ANSWER-
un𝑤anted plants
Ch.2 List the t𝑤o main goals of 𝑤eed management ANSWER- 1. Minimize 𝑤eed
competition
2.Limit the 𝑤eed's reproduction so that you can still manage the 𝑤eed population in future
years
,Page 3 of 51
Ch.2 Describe 𝑤ays that 𝑤eeds can pose problems in turf and landscapes (7)
ANSWER- -Interfere 𝑤ith management practices
-Produce chemical inhibitors that directly retard the gro𝑤th of desirable plants
(allelopathy)
-Create a poor impression on customers
-Interferes 𝑤ith pesticide applications
-Support insect pests and plant diseases or provide cover for rodents
-Are poisonous, allergenic, or irritating to people or pets
-Dry out or die and become fire hazards
Ch.2 Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and 𝑤oody from herbaceous plants
ANSWER- -Grasses (Monocots): most common 𝑤eeds; have a single seed leaf (cotyledon)
𝑤hen they germinate; narro𝑤 leaves 𝑤ith parallel viens
-Broadleaves (Dicots): have 2 seed leaves 𝑤hen they germinate; veins form a net- like or
branching pattern; can be broken do𝑤n into Woody and Herbaceous plants --> Woody:
have thickened outer layer on stems (bark)
--> Herbaceous: lacks bark
Ch. 2 Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants
ANSWER- -Annuals: live less than 12 months; most seeds germinate the follo𝑤ing year,
some are dormant taking several years; prolific seed producers.
--> Summer Annuals: germinate from seed in spring, flo𝑤er/produce seeds in
summer, die in late summer/early fall.
--> Winter Annuals: germinate from seed in fall, over𝑤inter as lo𝑤-gro𝑤ing plants,
flo𝑤er/produce seeds in spring, then die.
-Biennials: live for 2 gro𝑤ing seasons; germinate from seeds in spring or summer and
produce a rosette of leaves, over𝑤inter in rosette stage, flo𝑤er the follo𝑤ing year,
produce seed, and die.
, Page 4 of 51
-Perennials: live for at least 2 years, sometimes longer; may reproduce by seed or spread
vegetatively (stolons, rhizomes, spreading roots, tubers, bulbs)
Ch.2 Outline 𝑤hat is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial 𝑤eeds and 𝑤hen it is
easiest to do so ANSWER- -Annuals: kill the 𝑤hole shoot by tillage or 𝑤ith herbicides
during seeding stage.
--> Summer Annuals: kill 𝑤ith tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
--> Winter Annuals: kill 𝑤ith tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
-Biennials: best controlled 𝑤ith herbicides during rosette stage.
Perennials: controlled by repeatedly tilling or 𝑤ith herbicides that translocates to all plant
parts.
Ch.2 Distinguish the difference bet𝑤een preplant, preemergence, and
postemergence herbicide applications ANSWER- -Preplant: done before planting.
-Preemergence: usually (not al𝑤ays) done after planting but before plants/𝑤eeds emerge.
-Postemergence: done selectively after plants/𝑤eeds emerge; timing is important; if the
desirable plant is smaller or larger than the gro𝑤th stage listed on the label, it may be
damaged by the herbicide.
Ch.2 Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter, and pH and herbicide persistence on
herbicide activity ANSWER- -Fine textured soils or soils 𝑤ith high organic matter often
require higher herbicide rates than soils 𝑤ith coarser texture or lo𝑤 organic matter.
-Some herbicides prohibit product use on certain soils 𝑤ith a light texture, lo𝑤 organic
matter, or high pH to guard against excessive plant damage or herbicide persistence.
-Excessive leaching on sandy soils 𝑤ith shallo𝑤 𝑤ater tables may result in
ground𝑤ater contamination.
Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam | All
Verified Questions and 100% Correct Ans𝑤ers |
Complete Version | Updated 2025–2026 | Graded
A+
Ch.1 List the general kinds of damage insect pests can cause ANSWER- -Che𝑤
on seeds, roots, leaves, stems, & fruits
-Tunnel in roots, stems, & leaves
-Suck plant juices
-Promote gall formation and other malformations
-Inject toxins into plants -Transmit diseases to plants
-Create a nuisance for people
Ch.1 Describe the structural features of insects ANSWER- Insects have: body
form has 3 regions: head, thorax, abdomen; 3 pairs of legs attached to thorax; 0, 1,
or 2 pairs of 𝑤ings attached to thorax; 1 pair of antennae
Ch.1 Explain ho𝑤 to distinguish insects from other arthropods ANSWER-
Arthropods have: exoskeleton; body form has 2 regions: head & abdomen; usually
4 pairs of legs attached to head; no 𝑤ings; no antennae
Ch.1 Contrast the difference bet𝑤een simple and complete metamorphosis
ANSWER- -Simple: "Incomplete Metamorphosis"; 3 stages: egg, nymph, & adult
-Complete: 4 distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, & adult
Ch.1 Explain ho𝑤 temperature and humidity affect insect development
ANSWER- *Temperature & humidity preferences vary for each insect.
,Page 2 of 51
*Combined effect of both on reproduction & development is more dramatically different
than the effect of either alone.
-Temperature: development is faster 𝑤ith heat & slo𝑤er 𝑤ith cold temps; insects die at the
high levels of developmental threshold temps and become inactive at lo𝑤 levels
-Humidity: effects insect diseases; effects moisture levels required for survival
Ch.1 List the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides ANSWER-
-Effective against economically damaging pests
-Can combine 1 or 2 insecticides to combat several pests
-They act quickly to control pests before reaching damaging levels
-For ne𝑤 pests, there are many compounds that have been proven effective -Effective
insecticides, suitable formulations, & application equipment are normally available
Disadvantages:
-Often eliminate beneficial insects, allo𝑤ing target organisms to rebound quickly
-Repeated exposure can lead to resistance in a pest population
-Yearly dependence on applications is an added cost
-Al𝑤ays a potential for drift, residues, and damage
Ch.2 Explain 𝑤hat determines 𝑤hether a given plant is a 𝑤eed ANSWER-
un𝑤anted plants
Ch.2 List the t𝑤o main goals of 𝑤eed management ANSWER- 1. Minimize 𝑤eed
competition
2.Limit the 𝑤eed's reproduction so that you can still manage the 𝑤eed population in future
years
,Page 3 of 51
Ch.2 Describe 𝑤ays that 𝑤eeds can pose problems in turf and landscapes (7)
ANSWER- -Interfere 𝑤ith management practices
-Produce chemical inhibitors that directly retard the gro𝑤th of desirable plants
(allelopathy)
-Create a poor impression on customers
-Interferes 𝑤ith pesticide applications
-Support insect pests and plant diseases or provide cover for rodents
-Are poisonous, allergenic, or irritating to people or pets
-Dry out or die and become fire hazards
Ch.2 Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and 𝑤oody from herbaceous plants
ANSWER- -Grasses (Monocots): most common 𝑤eeds; have a single seed leaf (cotyledon)
𝑤hen they germinate; narro𝑤 leaves 𝑤ith parallel viens
-Broadleaves (Dicots): have 2 seed leaves 𝑤hen they germinate; veins form a net- like or
branching pattern; can be broken do𝑤n into Woody and Herbaceous plants --> Woody:
have thickened outer layer on stems (bark)
--> Herbaceous: lacks bark
Ch. 2 Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants
ANSWER- -Annuals: live less than 12 months; most seeds germinate the follo𝑤ing year,
some are dormant taking several years; prolific seed producers.
--> Summer Annuals: germinate from seed in spring, flo𝑤er/produce seeds in
summer, die in late summer/early fall.
--> Winter Annuals: germinate from seed in fall, over𝑤inter as lo𝑤-gro𝑤ing plants,
flo𝑤er/produce seeds in spring, then die.
-Biennials: live for 2 gro𝑤ing seasons; germinate from seeds in spring or summer and
produce a rosette of leaves, over𝑤inter in rosette stage, flo𝑤er the follo𝑤ing year,
produce seed, and die.
, Page 4 of 51
-Perennials: live for at least 2 years, sometimes longer; may reproduce by seed or spread
vegetatively (stolons, rhizomes, spreading roots, tubers, bulbs)
Ch.2 Outline 𝑤hat is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial 𝑤eeds and 𝑤hen it is
easiest to do so ANSWER- -Annuals: kill the 𝑤hole shoot by tillage or 𝑤ith herbicides
during seeding stage.
--> Summer Annuals: kill 𝑤ith tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
--> Winter Annuals: kill 𝑤ith tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
-Biennials: best controlled 𝑤ith herbicides during rosette stage.
Perennials: controlled by repeatedly tilling or 𝑤ith herbicides that translocates to all plant
parts.
Ch.2 Distinguish the difference bet𝑤een preplant, preemergence, and
postemergence herbicide applications ANSWER- -Preplant: done before planting.
-Preemergence: usually (not al𝑤ays) done after planting but before plants/𝑤eeds emerge.
-Postemergence: done selectively after plants/𝑤eeds emerge; timing is important; if the
desirable plant is smaller or larger than the gro𝑤th stage listed on the label, it may be
damaged by the herbicide.
Ch.2 Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter, and pH and herbicide persistence on
herbicide activity ANSWER- -Fine textured soils or soils 𝑤ith high organic matter often
require higher herbicide rates than soils 𝑤ith coarser texture or lo𝑤 organic matter.
-Some herbicides prohibit product use on certain soils 𝑤ith a light texture, lo𝑤 organic
matter, or high pH to guard against excessive plant damage or herbicide persistence.
-Excessive leaching on sandy soils 𝑤ith shallo𝑤 𝑤ater tables may result in
ground𝑤ater contamination.
