Georgia Correctional Officer (CO) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is true regarding the wood wasp's behavior?

1. They reinfest the wood multiple times.

2. They cause damage year-round.

3. They do not reinfest after laying their eggs.

4. They only infest hardwood trees.

The correct answer is: They do not reinfest after laying their eggs.

The statement that wood wasps do not reinfest after laying their eggs is accurate because once female wood wasps have laid their eggs in the wood, they typically do not attempt to infest the same area again. The lifecycle of wood wasps is such that they deposit eggs in the wood substrate, and after the larvae hatch, they will feed and develop within that wood. This behavior leads to the conclusion that wood wasps focus on finding new wood for their eggs rather than returning to previously utilized sites. In terms of context, it’s important to note that wood wasps primarily target specific types of wood for egg-laying, and once a female has completed her reproductive task in a particular location, that site is not used again for further infestations. This aspect of their behavior helps manage the level of impact on forests, as they do not continually reinfest the same wood, allowing for a natural balance over time.