The use of temperature or humidity manipulation is a ____________________ control method for insects.

The use of temperature or humidity manipulation is classified as a physical control method for insects. This approach involves altering environmental conditions to directly impact the survival and reproductive capabilities of pests.

Physical control methods are characterized by their reliance on non-chemical means to manage pest populations. In this case, by adjusting temperature or humidity, you create an environment that is unfavorable for the insects, either increasing conditions to a level that is harmful to them or reducing humidity to a point where they cannot thrive.

This method is often employed as a preventative measure or as part of an integrated pest management strategy, aiming to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides. Effective manipulation of these factors can lead to significant reductions in pest populations without negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem.

Other options such as cultural and biological control methods involve different strategies. Cultural methods focus on farming practices and utilizing plant diversity to deter pests, while biological methods emphasize the use of natural predators or parasites to control pest populations. Legal control refers to regulations and policies governing pesticide use and is not related to direct manipulation of environmental factors.