This is a solution for a worksheet with questions on insect metamorphosis, orders of insects, agricultural pests, pesticides, and pest control methods.

Here are the answers to the questions from the image. Section A 2. Types of insect metamorphosis include: i) Complete metamorphosis* (Holometabolous) ii) Incomplete metamorphosis* (Hemimetabolous) iii) Gradual metamorphosis* (Paurometabolous) iv) No metamorphosis* (Ametabolous) 3. Weevils belong to the order Coleoptera. While, Moths and butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera. 4. Two examples of pests attacking the following crops: i) Cereals: Stem borers, Armyworms* ii) Root and tuber crops: Sweet potato weevil, Nematodes* iii) Legumes: Pod borers, Aphids* iv) Vegetables: Whiteflies, Cabbage worms* v) Beverage crops: Coffee berry borer, Tea mosquito bug* 5. Types of pesticides: Inorganic pesticides lack carbon. Organic pesticides possess carbon. Organic pesticides are subdivided into: i) Organochlorines* ii) Organophosphates* iii) Carbamates* 6. Match the following terms: Meloidogyne incognita: Nematode* Insecticide: Kills Insect pest* Mouse: Rodent pest* Molluscicide: Kills snails* Crop rotation: Cultural method* Butterfly caterpillars: Insect pest* Rodenticide: Kills Mouse* Bacillus thuringiensis: Biopesticide* (used against insect pests like butterfly caterpillars) Nematocide: Kills Meloidogyne incognita* (or other nematodes) 7. Potato cyst nematode, belongs to the genus Globodera. They live on roots of plants in the family Heteroderidae. 8. Common molluscan pests are: Snails and Slugs. 9. Two examples of birds that are crop pests: Quelea birds and Sparrows. 10. Precautions when handling pesticides (storage, transport, application): i) Store pesticides in a locked, well-ventilated area away from food and feed.* ii) Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during mixing and application.* iii) Follow label instructions carefully for dosage, application method, and re-entry intervals.* 11. a. With the aid of a labeled diagram, describe the life cycle of a named nematode. I cannot provide a diagram. Life Cycle of Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne spp.):* The life cycle begins with eggs laid by the female in a gelatinous matrix in the soil or within root tissue. The first-stage juvenile (J1) develops inside the egg, molts to J2, and then hatches. The J2 is the infective stage, which penetrates plant roots, usually near the root tip. Once inside, the J2 migrates to the vascular cylinder, settles, and induces the formation of giant cells, which serve as feeding sites, leading to characteristic root galls. The nematode then undergoes three more molts (J3, J4) to become an adult. Adult males are worm-like and leave the root, while adult females remain sedentary, pear-shaped, and continue to feed and lay eggs, completing the cycle. 11. b. Describe the diagnostic features of a named rodent or bird (Diagram only). This question requires a diagram only, which I cannot provide. Section B Q1a. With suitable examples, describe the two main types of insect mouthparts and the damage they cause to crops. Chewing Mouthparts: Insects with chewing mouthparts, such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, and beetles*, have mandibles adapted for biting, tearing, and grinding plant tissue. They cause damage by creating holes in leaves (defoliation), boring into stems or fruits, and severing plant parts. This leads to reduced photosynthetic capacity, weakened plant structure, and direct loss of edible parts. Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts: Insects like aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, and stink bugs* possess piercing-sucking mouthparts, which are modified into a stylet for penetrating plant tissues and sucking out sap. This feeding causes symptoms such as wilting, stunted growth, leaf curling, and discoloration. They can also transmit plant viruses, leading to more severe disease symptoms and significant yield losses. Q1b. Mention three primary biological control strategies used by farmers. i) Introduction (Classical Biological Control):* Importing and releasing natural enemies (predators, parasitoids, pathogens) from the pest's native range into a new area where the pest has become established without its natural enemies. ii) Conservation Biological Control:* Modifying farming practices to protect and enhance the populations of existing natural enemies already present in the agroecosystem, for example, by providing habitat or reducing pesticide use. iii) Augmentation Biological Control:* Supplementing naturally occurring natural enemy populations by mass-rearing and releasing them into the field, either as inoculative releases (small numbers for long-term control) or inundative releases (large numbers for immediate pest suppression). Q2a. Highlight five physical control methods often adopted by rural farmers. i) Hand picking:* Manually removing pests like large caterpillars, beetles, or snails from plants. ii) Trapping:* Using various traps (e.g., sticky traps, water traps, light traps, pheromone traps) to capture and remove pests. iii) Flooding:* Deliberately flooding fields to drown soil-dwelling pests or disrupt their life cycles. iv) Heat treatment/Solarization:* Using high temperatures (e.g., covering soil with clear plastic to trap solar heat) to kill soil-borne pests, pathogens, and weeds. v) Pruning/Removal of infested parts:* Cutting off and destroying plant parts that are heavily infested with pests to prevent their spread. Q2b. Mention five good storage practices to prevent and control stored product pests. i) Thorough cleaning:* Ensuring storage facilities are clean and free of old grain residues before new produce is stored. ii) Proper drying:* Drying grains and other produce to appropriate moisture levels before storage to inhibit pest and mold growth. iii) Airtight containers:* Storing produce in sealed, airtight containers or silos to prevent pest entry and limit oxygen, which can suffocate pests. iv) Regular inspection:* Regularly checking stored products for signs of pest infestation (e.g., holes, frass, live insects) to allow for early intervention. v) Sanitation of surroundings:* Keeping the area around storage facilities free of debris, weeds, and spilled grain that could harbor pests. Q3a. What are resistant varieties? Resistant varieties* are crop cultivars that possess inherent genetic traits that enable them to withstand, tolerate, or recover from pest attacks better than susceptible varieties. These traits can include physical barriers, chemical deterrents, or the ability to repair damage. Q3b. Briefly describe the pathogenicity and economic losses caused by nematodes. Pathogenicity:* Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that primarily attack plant roots, feeding on root cells. Their feeding causes direct damage such as root lesions, galls (swellings), and stunted or distorted root systems. This damage impairs the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients, leading to symptoms like wilting, yellowing, and reduced vigor above ground. Economic Losses:* The damage caused by nematodes results in significant economic losses through reduced crop yields, lower quality produce, and increased production costs due to the need for control measures. Severe infestations can lead to complete crop failure, impacting food security and farmer livelihoods. Q4. Write short notes on the following: i) Pest and Pest Control: A pest is any organism that causes damage or nuisance to humans, their crops, livestock, or property. Pest control* refers to the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest, aiming to reduce its population or impact to an acceptable level. ii) Pest Status: Pest status* describes the level of a pest population and its economic impact on a crop or resource. It determines whether a pest population is below, at, or above an economic threshold, indicating if control measures are necessary. iii) Pesticides: Pesticides* are chemical or biological agents used to kill, repel, or control pests. They include insecticides (for insects), herbicides (for weeds), fungicides (for fungi), and rodenticides (for rodents), among others. iv) Aerosol: An aerosol* is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas. In pest control, aerosols are used to deliver pesticides as a fine mist, allowing for broad coverage and penetration into hard-to-reach areas. v) IPM (Integrated Pest Management): IPM* is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only when necessary and in a manner that minimizes risks to human health and the environment. 3 done, 2 left today. You're making progress.