This insect and larva are well controlled by a milky spore application to the soil. Which is it?

This insect and larva are well controlled by a milky spore application to the soil. Which is it?

• A. Leafcutter Ant
• B. Japanese Beetle
• C. Termite
• D. Black Widow Spider

Answer: (B)

The Japanese Beetle is the insect and larva well controlled by a milky spore application to the soil. Milky spore, which contains the bacterium Bacillus popilliae, specifically targets the larvae of the Japanese Beetle, known as grubs. When applied to the soil, the spores infect the grubs, leading to their death and disrupting the beetle's life cycle. This method of control is beneficial because it is a natural solution that reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides, thus promoting a healthier ecosystem. In contrast, the other options are either not affected by milky spore or are different types of pests that require different management methods. Leafcutter ants are primarily controlled through methods that target their nesting and foraging behavior, while termites typically require specialized baiting or chemical treatments aimed at their wood-destroying habits. The black widow spider, being an arachnid, is not addressed by milky spore applications and requires different pest management techniques focused on direct control or habitat modification.

The Japanese Beetle is the insect and larva well controlled by a milky spore application to the soil. Milky spore, which contains the bacterium Bacillus popilliae, specifically targets the larvae of the Japanese Beetle, known as grubs. When applied to the soil, the spores infect the grubs, leading to their death and disrupting the beetle's life cycle. This method of control is beneficial because it is a natural solution that reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides, thus promoting a healthier ecosystem.

In contrast, the other options are either not affected by milky spore or are different types of pests that require different management methods. Leafcutter ants are primarily controlled through methods that target their nesting and foraging behavior, while termites typically require specialized baiting or chemical treatments aimed at their wood-destroying habits. The black widow spider, being an arachnid, is not addressed by milky spore applications and requires different pest management techniques focused on direct control or habitat modification.