Washington Pesticide Laws and Safety Practice Test

How is a potential pest best described?

1. A pest causing consistent damage

2. A pest that is present but controlled by natural predators

3. A pest that typically causes no apparent economic damage under normal circumstances

4. A pest that only damages non-economic crops

The correct answer is: A pest that typically causes no apparent economic damage under normal circumstances

A potential pest is an organism that has the potential to cause economic damage to crops under certain conditions. In the choices provided, option C is the most accurate because it mentions that the pest typically causes no apparent economic damage "under normal circumstances." This means that while the pest may not cause damage currently, it still has the potential to cause economic harm in the future. Option A is incorrect because it states that the pest is causing consistent damage, which goes against the definition of a potential pest. Option B is incorrect because it mentions that natural predators are controlling the pest, which means it is not a potential pest as it is already being managed. Option D is incorrect because it limits the damage to non-economic crops, whereas a potential pest can cause damage to any type of crop.