CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

The cotton boll weevil belongs to the order:

1. homoptera

2. lepidoptera

3. hymenoptera

4. coleoptera

The correct answer is: coleoptera

The cotton boll weevil is classified within the order Coleoptera, which is comprised of beetles. This classification is significant because Coleoptera is characterized by the presence of hardened forewings called elytra, which protect the hind wings and the body of the insect. This unique body structure is a defining characteristic of beetles and aids in their survival and adaptation to various environments. Understanding the Coleoptera order helps in pest management strategies, especially in agricultural settings where the cotton boll weevil poses a significant threat to cotton crops. Identifying insects accurately by their orders is essential for implementing effective pest control measures and ecological studies. The other options represent different insect orders: Homoptera includes aphids and cicadas, Lepidoptera includes butterflies and moths, and Hymenoptera includes bees, wasps, and ants; none of these accurately classify the cotton boll weevil.