Question

Which of the following pesticides have been successfully used in the control of locusts and grasshoppers in India?
A) Sevin
B) Aldrin
C) Parathion
D) Temik

Answer 1

Hint: Locusts and grasshoppers have been very damaging as pests throughout history. Swarms have been known to destroy crops in a few hours, leaving behind severe economic damage. This continues to be a problem even today in the modern world.

Complete answer:
Locusts and grasshoppers have been very damaging as pests throughout history. Swarms have been known to destroy crops in a few hours, leaving behind severe economic damage. This continues to be a problem even today in the modern world.

As they are insects, there are several methods of killing them, one being the use of pesticides.
For grasshoppers and locusts the most effective insecticide has been Aldrin, an organochlorine insecticide, and is also effective on other insects like termites and other soil pests. Option B is the correct answer.
Sevin has been used most effectively to control the populations of ants, aphids, and beetles, and even arachnids like spiders. It is a methyl carbaryl pesticide, commonly used in home gardens. Option A is incorrect.
The pesticide parathion is an organophosphate insecticide, mainly of agricultural importance. Parathion has proved very effective against sucking and biting insects like bollworms, but is also very toxic to other animals including humans and is therefore mostly banned. Option C is incorrect.
Temik contains the active ingredient Aldicarb and is effective against mites, aphids, and lygus, among others. Option D is incorrect.
The use of pesticides has several damaging effects to soil quality, the environment, and humans along with other animals. Research is ongoing to use biological techniques where one organism is used to control another. For example, ladybugs control aphid populations.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Note: Though Aldrin is effective against locusts and grasshoppers, it is extremely persistent in the environment, and thus its use has been banned. However, there are still plenty of soil deposits of this chemical.