Mixed Deck — All CPA Topics Flashcards

Under FIFRA, what is the primary reason the EPA classifies a pesticide as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP)?

Answer: The pesticide poses a potential for unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment, even when used as directed.

The EPA classifies a pesticide for Restricted Use if it determines that, even when used according to label directions, it may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment or injury to the applicator or others. To mitigate this risk, its use is restricted to certified applicators or those under their direct supervision.

What information on a pesticide label tells you exactly which PPE is required for the applicator?

Answer: The precautionary statements / personal protective equipment section

The precautionary statements section of the label specifically lists required PPE for handlers, mixers, loaders, and applicators.

A wettable powder (WP) differs from a soluble powder (SP) in that a wettable powder:

Answer: Remains suspended as particles in water

Wettable powders do not dissolve but form a suspension requiring continuous agitation, unlike soluble powders that dissolve fully.

A surfactant molecule has both a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. This dual nature allows surfactants to:

Answer: Bridge the interface between water and oil or waxy surfaces

The dual hydrophilic/hydrophobic structure of surfactant molecules lets them sit at the oil-water or wax-water interface, reducing surface tension and improving coverage.

Which of the following is an example of a pheromone trap used in pest monitoring?

Answer: Delta trap with a sex-attractant lure for moths

Delta traps baited with sex-attractant pheromone lures are used to monitor specific moth species by attracting males.

When scouting for soybean aphids, a pest manager counts the number of aphids per plant. This practice is called:

Answer: Sequential sampling

Sequential sampling involves counting organisms per sampling unit and stopping when the cumulative count crosses a decision boundary, reducing sampling effort.

A pesticide has an oral LD50 of 5 mg/kg body weight. How would this pesticide be classified under EPA toxicity categories?

Answer: Highly toxic (Category I)

Category I (Highly Toxic) includes pesticides with oral LD50 values less than 50 mg/kg, which carry the DANGER signal word on the label.

An applicator is working near a wetland that provides habitat for migratory birds. Which action BEST protects this sensitive area?

Answer: Use nozzles that produce larger droplets and observe label-specified buffer distances

Larger droplets reduce drift, and observing label buffer distances keeps pesticides from entering wetland habitat critical for migratory bird populations.

A pesticide label states the product should be applied at 1 pint per acre. The applicator's sprayer is calibrated to deliver 20 gallons per acre. How many fluid ounces of product should be added to a 100-gallon spray tank?

Answer: 80 fl oz

100 gallons ÷ 20 gal/acre = 5 acres covered; 5 acres × 1 pint/acre = 5 pints = 80 fl oz of product needed.

A lawn exhibits irregular dead patches with grass roots severed at soil level. The most likely culprit is:

Answer: White grub (scarab larvae)

White grubs feed on turfgrass roots below the soil surface, severing them and creating irregular dead patches that can be lifted like loose carpet.

What is the MAIN reason pesticides should never be stored with food, feed, or seed?

Answer: Cross-contamination can make food or feed toxic to humans or animals

Co-storage risks pesticide contamination of food, feed, or seed, which can make those items toxic or unsaleable and pose serious health risks to people and animals.

Which statement about storing herbicides with insecticides or fungicides is TRUE?

Answer: They should be stored separately to prevent cross-contamination from leaks or vapors

Herbicides should be stored separately from other pesticides because even trace cross-contamination or vapor transfer can damage non-target crops when the contaminated product is applied.

Which class of pesticide is used primarily to control fungal diseases on crops?

Answer: Fungicide

Fungicides are pesticides that inhibit or kill fungi, protecting crops from diseases like blight, mildew, and rust.

When using a boom sprayer, overlapping spray passes by more than the recommended amount will most likely result in:

Answer: Double or excess application in the overlapping zone, risking crop injury or residue violations

Excessive overlap means the overlapping area receives double the intended dose, which can cause crop phytotoxicity or violate pesticide label use rates.

When reading a pesticide label that states 'add 2 oz per gallon of water,' which formulation type is this language MOST typical for?

Answer: Emulsifiable concentrate (EC)

Emulsifiable concentrates are liquid formulations mixed with water at specified rates, commonly expressed as fluid ounces per gallon.

Under what circumstance can a pesticide applicator use a dust/mist filtering respirator (N95) instead of an organic vapor cartridge respirator?

Answer: When the pesticide label specifically lists dust/mist respirator as acceptable and the pesticide has low vapor pressure

A dust/mist respirator is appropriate only when the label permits it and the pesticide's vapor pressure is low enough that vapor inhalation is not a significant hazard.

Which signal word appears on a pesticide label when the product falls into EPA Toxicity Category II (moderately toxic)?

Answer: WARNING

Category II products (oral LD50 of 50–500 mg/kg) require the signal word WARNING on the front panel of the label.

Which scouting method involves counting pest insects on a set number of plants and comparing results against established action thresholds?

Answer: Direct count or plant inspection

Direct count or plant inspection scouting involves examining a set number of plants per field unit and tallying pest insects to compare against action thresholds.

Which type of insecticide mode of action disrupts the nervous system by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase?

Answer: Organophosphate

Organophosphate insecticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, causing nerve signal accumulation and eventual death in the target insect.

Which of the following is a key behavioral difference that helps distinguish Norway rats from roof rats when conducting a rodent inspection?

Answer: Norway rats are burrowers near ground level; roof rats prefer elevated harborage above 18 inches

Norway rats burrow and nest at or below ground level, while roof rats are agile climbers that nest in elevated locations such as attics, trees, and rafters.