Protecting Food Resources: Pesticides and Pest Control

These flashcards contain key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the topic of pesticides and pest control, providing a study aid for understanding the lecture material.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill or control undesirable organisms, including insects, weeds, and fungi.

Biological control

The use of natural predators, parasites, and pathogens to manage pest populations.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A holistic approach to controlling pests that incorporates various control methods and focuses on maintaining pest populations below economically damaging levels.

Coevolution

The process by which two or more species evolve in response to each other, often referring to interactions between predators and prey.

Genetic resistance

The ability of a pest organism to survive exposure to pesticides due to changes in its genetic makeup.

Broad-spectrum pesticides

Pesticides that are toxic to a wide range of organisms, including beneficial species.

Selective pesticides

Pesticides that target a specific group of pests while leaving other species unharmed.

Persistence

The duration that a pesticide remains lethal in the environment.

Diatomaceous earth

A natural pesticide made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms, used to control various insect pests.

Treadmill effect

A situation in which farmers must continually increase pesticide application rates or switch to new, more potent pesticides due to the development of pest resistance.

Synthetic pyrethroids

Man-made chemicals that mimic pyrethrum, a natural insecticide, used primarily in pest control.

Acute poisoning

Immediate and severe illness resulting from exposure to toxic substances, including pesticides.

Cumulative exposure

The total exposure to multiple pesticides over time, which may have additive or synergetic health effects.

Fumigants

Gaseous pesticides used to control pests in soil, stored products, or structures.

Trap crops

Plants grown to attract pests away from main crops, aiming to control pest populations more effectively.