Texas Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What percentage of all insects are classified as pests?

1. Ten percent

2. One percent

3. Fifty percent

4. Twenty percent

The correct answer is: One percent

The classification of insects as pests is typically stated to be around one percent. This reflects the understanding that while there are over a million described insect species, only a small fraction of these cause harm to human interests, such as agriculture, health, or property. This small percentage encompasses those insects that compete with humans for resources, transmit diseases, damage crops, or affect livestock. The larger majority of insects play beneficial roles in ecosystems, such as pollination or pest control, which is why the distinction of one percent as pests is significant in pest management and agricultural practices. Recognizing that only a small segment of all insects negatively impacts our lives helps in developing targeted strategies for pest control, thereby minimizing unnecessary harm to beneficial insect populations.