Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicators CORE Exam

What is one of the benefits of reducing pesticide use in IPM?

1. Increased pesticide resistance in pest populations

2. Protection of beneficial insects

3. More immediate control of all pests

4. Elimination of all pest species

The correct answer is: Protection of beneficial insects

Reducing pesticide use within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework provides significant benefits, one of which is the protection of beneficial insects. Beneficial insects, such as pollinators and natural pest predators, play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance and enhancing agricultural productivity. When pesticide use is minimized, it lowers the risk of harming these beneficial species, allowing them to thrive and contribute to pest control and pollination. This creates a more sustainable environment, as these insects can help keep pest populations in check naturally, reducing the need for chemical interventions in the long term. The other options do not align with the benefits of reducing pesticide use. For instance, increased pesticide resistance in pest populations typically results from over-reliance on chemical treatments, leading to adaptive resistance. More immediate control of all pests is not a benefit of reduced pesticide use as it may lead to reliance on alternative methods that take longer to show effects. Lastly, eliminating all pest species is neither feasible nor desirable in a healthy ecosystem, as some pests are part of a natural balance and can support the food web.