CATS Southwest Pest and Disease 3

Question 1

Which insect is primarily responsible for the decline of piñon-juniper woodlands across the Southwest during prolonged drought periods?

Accepted Answer

Piñon ips (Ips confusus)

Answer

Piñon ips (Ips confusus) has been the primary driver of mass piñon mortality during Southwest drought events, killing millions of trees.

Question 2

Bacterial wetwood (slime flux) seeping from a cottonwood trunk in Albuquerque is best managed by:

Accepted Answer

Improving tree vigor through appropriate irrigation and fertilization; avoid wounding

Answer

Bacterial wetwood has no cure; management focuses on reducing tree stress through proper cultural practices while avoiding unnecessary wounding that introduces bacteria.

Question 3

A certified arborist notices galls on the roots of a young Arizona cypress. The most likely causal organism is:

Accepted Answer

Crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens)

Answer

Crown gall caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens produces characteristic warty, tumor-like growths at the root crown and on roots of many woody plants.

Question 4

The cottonwood borer (Plectrodera scalator) is most effectively detected during its adult stage by:

Accepted Answer

Inspecting trunks and root flares for large black-and-white adult beetles in summer

Answer

Adult cottonwood borers are large, distinctive black-and-white beetles that can be visually detected on trunk bases and roots during summer emergence.

Question 5

Seiridium canker on Italian cypress and other Cupressus species in the Southwest is most accurately described as:

Accepted Answer

A fungal disease causing dieback of branches with resinous cankers on affected stems

Answer

Seiridium canker (Seiridium cardinale and related species) is a fungal disease causing branch dieback and resin-soaked cankers, particularly severe on stressed cypress.

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

CATS Southwest Pest and Disease 3