Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

Which pest will produce living young instead of laying eggs, enabling it to build large populations quickly?

1. Mite

2. Mealybug

3. Aphid

4. Fungus gnat

The correct answer is: Aphid

The correct answer is Aphid, as these pests are known for their reproductive strategy known as viviparity. Instead of laying eggs, female aphids can give birth to live young, allowing them to reproduce rapidly. This method of reproduction facilitates quick population growth since each female can produce several offspring in a short period, often leading to exponential population increases under favorable conditions. In contrast, mites and mealybugs typically lay eggs, which can slow down the growth of their populations compared to the rapid live birth seen in aphids. While fungus gnats also produce eggs, their life cycle involves distinct larval stages that require time to develop before they become adults, further extending the time needed for population increase compared to the viviparous nature of aphids. Hence, aphids are particularly notorious for becoming pest problems in a short time due to their ability to produce living young.