Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

What role do refuges play in pest management?

1. They provide habitats for pests only

2. They support beneficial insects

3. They increase the pest population

4. They are used to grow cover crops

The correct answer is: They support beneficial insects

Refuges play a significant role in pest management by providing habitats for beneficial insects. These refuges can harbor natural enemies of pests, such as predators and parasitoids, which help to control pest populations in agricultural settings. By supporting a diverse community of beneficial insects, refuges can enhance biological control, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides. Additionally, refuges can serve as a source of genetic diversity, which can help prevent the development of pest resistance to management practices. This is particularly important in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies where maintaining a balance between pest populations and their natural control agents is vital for sustainable agriculture. The other options do not capture the primary function of refuges in pest management. While it is true that refuges can provide habitats for pests, their main emphasis in pest management is to support beneficial organisms. Growing cover crops addresses soil health and erosion control but does not define the role of refuges in pest dynamics. The assertion that refuges increase the pest population overlooks their critical role in managing and mitigating those populations through the support of beneficial species.