UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  With reference to pesticides and insecticides... Start Learning for Free
With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:
1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.
2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.
Q. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following ...
- The difference between a pesticide and insecticide lies in the different function each performs.
- A pesticide is a chemical substance that is used to kill, control, or repel pests, including mammals, fish, and insects.
- As the name implies, an insecticide affects only insects. This means that an insecticide is a subgroup of pesticides.
- Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating, or paralyzing.
Free Test
Community Answer
With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following ...
- The difference between a pesticide and insecticide lies in the different function each performs.
- A pesticide is a chemical substance that is used to kill, control, or repel pests, including mammals, fish, and insects.
- As the name implies, an insecticide affects only insects. This means that an insecticide is a subgroup of pesticides.
- Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating, or paralyzing.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Similar UPSC Doubts

Passage IIChemical pesticides lose their role in sustainable agriculture if the pests evolve resistance. The evolution of the pesticide resistance is simply natural selection in action. It is almost certain to occur when vast numbers of a genetically variable population are killed. One or a few individuals may be unusually resistant (perhaps because they possess an enzyme that can detoxify the pesticid e). If the pesticide is applied repeatedly, each successive generation of the pest will contain a larger proportion of resistant individuals. Pests typically have a high intrinsic rate of reproduction, and so a few individuals in one generation may give rise to hundreds or thousands in the next, and resistance spreads very rapidly in a population.This problem was often ignored in the past, even though the first case of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) resistance was reported as early as 1946. There is an exponential increase in the numbers of invertebrates that have evolved resistance and in the number pesticides against which resistance has evolved. Resistance has been recorded in every family of arthropod pests (including dipterans such as mosquitoes and house flies, as well as beetles, moths, wasps, fleas, lice and mites) as well as in weeds and plant pathogens. Take the Alabama leaf worm, a moth pest of cotton, as an example. It has developed resistance in one or more regions of the world to aldrin, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, lindane and toxaphene.If chemical pesticides brought nothing but problems, - if their use was intrinsically and acutely unsustainable then they would already have fallen out of widespread use. This has not happened. Instead, their rate of production has increased rapidly. The ratio of cost to benefit for the individual agricultural producer has remained in favour of pesticide use. In the USA, insecticides have been estimated to benefit the agricultural products to the tune of around $5 for every $1 spent.Moreover, in many poorer countries, the prospect of imminent mass starvation, or of an epidemic disease, are so frightening that the social and health costs of using pesticides have to be ignored. In general the use of pesticides is justified by objective measures such as lives saved, economic efficiency of food production and total food produced. In these very fundamental senses, their use may be described as sustainable. In practice, sustainability depends on continually developing new pesticides that keep at least one step ahead of the pests pesticides that are less persistent, biodegradable and more accurately targeted at the pests.Q. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:1. Use of chemical pesticides has become imperative in all the poor countries of the world.2. Chemical pesticides should not have any role in sustainable agriculture3. One pest can develop resistance to many pesticidesWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?

Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infesting insects. The consumption of pesticides in some of the developed countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare. Unfortunately, there are reports that these compounds possess inherent toxicities that endanger the health of the farm operators, consumers and the environment. Synthetic pesticides are generally persistent in environment. Entering in food chain they destroy the microbial diversity and cause ecological imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in development of resistance among insects to insecticides, upsetting of balance in nature and resurgence of treated populations. Natural pest control using the botanical pesticides is safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight. Plants with pesticidal properties have been in nature for millions of years without any ill or adverse effects on the ecosystem. They are easily decomposed by many microbes common in most soil. They help in the maintenance of biological diversity, of predators and the reduction of environmental contamination and human health hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated from plants are biodegradable and their use in crop protection is a practical sustainable alternative.On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made.1. Synthetic pesticides should never be used in modem agriculture.2. One of the aims of sustainable agriculture is to ensure minimal ecological imbalance.3. Botanical pesticides are more effective as compared to synthetic pesticides.Q.Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?

Passage IIChemical pesticides lose their role in sustainable agriculture if the pests evolve resistance. The evolution of the pesticide resistance is simply natural selection in action. It is almost certain to occur when vast numbers of a genetically variable population are killed. One or a few individuals may be unusually resistant (perhaps because they possess an enzyme that can detoxify the pesticid e). If the pesticide is applied repeatedly, each successive generation of the pest will contain a larger proportion of resistant individuals. Pests typically have a high intrinsic rate of reproduction, and so a few individuals in one generation may give rise to hundreds or thousands in the next, and resistance spreads very rapidly in a population.This problem was often ignored in the past, even though the first case of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) resistance was reported as early as 1946. There is an exponential increase in the numbers of invertebrates that have evolved resistance and in the number pesticides against which resistance has evolved. Resistance has been recorded in every family of arthropod pests (including dipterans such as mosquitoes and house flies, as well as beetles, moths, wasps, fleas, lice and mites) as well as in weeds and plant pathogens. Take the Alabama leaf worm, a moth pest of cotton, as an example. It has developed resistance in one or more regions of the world to aldrin, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, lindane and toxaphene.If chemical pesticides brought nothing but problems, - if their use was intrinsically and acutely unsustainable then they would already have fallen out of widespread use. This has not happened. Instead, their rate of production has increased rapidly. The ratio of cost to benefit for the individual agricultural producer has remained in favour of pesticide use. In the USA, insecticides have been estimated to benefit the agricultural products to the tune of around $5 for every $1 spent.Moreover, in many poorer countries, the prospect of imminent mass starvation, or of an epidemic disease, are so frightening that the social and health costs of using pesticides have to be ignored. In general the use of pesticides is justified by objective measures such as lives saved, economic efficiency of food production and total food produced. In these very fundamental senses, their use may be described as sustainable. In practice, sustainability depends on continually developing new pesticides that keep at least one step ahead of the pests pesticides that are less persistent, biodegradable and more accurately targeted at the pests.Q. Why is the use of chemical pesticides generally justified by giving the examples of poor and developing countries?1. Developed countries can afford to do away with use of pesticides by adapting to organic farming, but it is imperative for poor and developing countries to use chemical pesticides.2. In poor and developing countries, the pesticide addresses the problem of epidemic diseases of crops and eases the food problem.3. The social and health costs of pesticide use are generally ignored in poor and developing countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infesting insects. The consumption of pesticides in some of the developed countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare. Unfortunately, there are reports that these compounds possess inherent toxicities that endanger, the health of the farm operators, consumers and the environment. Synthetic pesticides are generally persistent in environment. Entering in food chain they destroy the microbial diversity and cause ecological imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in development of resistance among insects to insecticides, upsetting of balance in nature and resurgence of treated populations. Natural pest control using the botanical pesticides is safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight. Plants with pesticidal properties have been in nature for millions of years without any ill or adverse effects on the ecosystem. They are easily decomposed by many microbes common in most soil. They help in the maintenance of biological diversity, of predators and the reduction of environmental contamination and human health hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated from plants are biodegradable and their use in crop protection is a practical sustainable alternative.Q.Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding bio pesticides?1. They are not hazardous to human health.2. They are persistent in environment.3. They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem.Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Passage IIChemical pesticides lose their role in sustainable agriculture if the pests evolve resistance. The evolution of the pesticide resistance is simply natural selection in action. It is almost certain to occur when vast numbers of a genetically variable population are killed. One or a few individuals may be unusually resistant (perhaps because they possess an enzyme that can detoxify the pesticid e). If the pesticide is applied repeatedly, each successive generation of the pest will contain a larger proportion of resistant individuals. Pests typically have a high intrinsic rate of reproduction, and so a few individuals in one generation may give rise to hundreds or thousands in the next, and resistance spreads very rapidly in a population.This problem was often ignored in the past, even though the first case of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) resistance was reported as early as 1946. There is an exponential increase in the numbers of invertebrates that have evolved resistance and in the number pesticides against which resistance has evolved. Resistance has been recorded in every family of arthropod pests (including dipterans such as mosquitoes and house flies, as well as beetles, moths, wasps, fleas, lice and mites) as well as in weeds and plant pathogens. Take the Alabama leaf worm, a moth pest of cotton, as an example. It has developed resistance in one or more regions of the world to aldrin, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, lindane and toxaphene.If chemical pesticides brought nothing but problems, - if their use was intrinsically and acutely unsustainable then they would already have fallen out of widespread use. This has not happened. Instead, their rate of production has increased rapidly. The ratio of cost to benefit for the individual agricultural producer has remained in favour of pesticide use. In the USA, insecticides have been estimated to benefit the agricultural products to the tune of around $5 for every $1 spent.Moreover, in many poorer countries, the prospect of imminent mass starvation, or of an epidemic disease, are so frightening that the social and health costs of using pesticides have to be ignored. In general the use of pesticides is justified by objective measures such as lives saved, economic efficiency of food production and total food produced. In these very fundamental senses, their use may be described as sustainable. In practice, sustainability depends on continually developing new pesticides that keep at least one step ahead of the pests pesticides that are less persistent, biodegradable and more accurately targeted at the pests.Q. Though the problems associated with the use of chemical pesticides is known for a long time, their widespread use has not waned. Why?

Top Courses for UPSC

With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice With reference to pesticides and insecticides, consider the following statements:1. Both pesticides and insecticides kill by poisoning, suffocating or paralyzing.2. Pesticides are a subgroup of insecticides that are specifically used for killing pests.Q.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev