Why is monitoring temperature and humidity important for pest management?

Monitoring temperature and humidity is crucial for pest management because these environmental factors have a direct impact on the biological processes of pests. Temperature influences the metabolic rates of insects, meaning that warmer conditions can accelerate their growth and reproduction cycles. Similarly, humidity levels can affect the moisture content of insects and their environments, influencing behaviors such as feeding and migration.

Understanding these relationships allows pest managers to predict pest outbreaks and implement control measures more effectively. By maintaining awareness of temperature and humidity changes, pest management strategies can be timed for maximum effectiveness, leading to better yields and healthier crops. This reason aligns directly with why option D is the correct choice; it underscores the direct relationship between environmental conditions and pest dynamics, which is fundamental in pest management practices.

While monitoring temperature and humidity can also relate indirectly to planting times and the protection of beneficial insects, these aspects are secondary to the immediate effects on pests' biological functions.