CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

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Prepare for the CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Exam. Use study guides and interactive quizzes, complete with explanations and hints, to ensure you're ready to succeed.

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The pickleworm belongs to which order?

Diptera
Coleoptera
Lepidoptera
Homoptera

The correct answer is: Lepidoptera

The pickleworm, scientifically known as *Diaphania nitidalis*, is classified within the order Lepidoptera. This order is characterized primarily by insects that have two pairs of scale-covered wings, and it includes moths and butterflies. Lepidoptera is known for its members undergoing complete metamorphosis, transitioning from egg to larva (caterpillar), then to pupa (chrysalis), and finally to adult forms. The classification of the pickleworm in Lepidoptera reflects its biological traits and behaviors typical of moths, especially the feeding habits of its larvae, which are known to primarily infest cucurbit plants. Understanding the taxonomy of pests like the pickleworm is crucial for pest management and control strategies in agriculture, particularly in crops like squash, cucumbers, and melons that may be threatened by this pest. This knowledge supports the development of more targeted and environmentally friendly methods of control, including the use of specific biological controls or pheromone traps tailored to moths of the Lepidoptera order.