Officials attempt to control the spread of an exotic wildflower species by introducing its natural predator, a beetle. Unexpectedly, the beetle population grows exponentially and begins to eat local crops. What best accounts for this unexpected population explosion?

a. Adaptive radiation allowed the beetle population to evolve faster.

b. The beetle population has few predators in the new habitat.

c. The wildflower and local crops are genetically similar kinds of plants.

d. The beetle has different nutritional requirements in the new habitat.

Question

Tania Cantrell

Biology

28 May, 11:24

Officials attempt to control the spread of an exotic wildflower species by introducing its natural predator, a beetle. Unexpectedly, the beetle population grows exponentially and begins to eat local crops. What best accounts for this unexpected population explosion?

a. Adaptive radiation allowed the beetle population to evolve faster.

b. The beetle population has few predators in the new habitat.

c. The wildflower and local crops are genetically similar kinds of plants.

d. The beetle has different nutritional requirements in the new habitat.

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Reginald Mccall · Answer 1

b. The beetle population has few predators in the new habitat.

Explanation:

Based on the scenario being described within the question it can be said that the best explanation for this is that there are few or no predators to kill them off. This is due to the fact that a predator to a certain species kills off a certain portion of the population for food which in term maintains the population of the preyed upon species at an average level, and thus prevents them from exponentially growing out of control like what is happening with the beetles.