USDA Phytosanitary Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The classification of a non-native pest specifically refers to organisms that have been introduced into an ecosystem from another geographic area or ecosystem. This introduction typically occurs through human activities, such as trade, travel, or transportation, and results in the pest being outside of its natural habitat. The impact of these non-native pests can vary, but they may become invasive, outcompeting local species and disrupting ecological balance.

The other options describe various situations related to pests but do not meet the criteria of non-native classification. For example, beneficial pests contribute positively to agriculture, which does not align with the notion of being a pest, while a pest that has been eradicated would no longer pose any threat, thus not fitting the definition of a non-native pest. Lastly, a pest that affects local biodiversity emphasizes the adverse impacts but does not necessarily indicate that the pest is non-native, as native pests can also have a significant impact on local biodiversity.