After spraying crops with DDT for several years, farmers found that populations of insect pests reboundED. One reason was that insects had developed resistance to the insecticide. Suggest another reason, based on what you know about populations, pyramids, predators, and competitors.
HELP!
DDT= pesticide.
I'm extremely confused.
Right!
Thank You.
no it didn't
I understand that the concept of populations, pyramids, predators, and competitors can be confusing when trying to understand the reasons behind the rebounding population of insect pests after using DDT. Let me break it down for you and help you understand the possible reasons.
Firstly, populations refer to the number of individuals of a species in a particular area. In the case of insect pests, spraying crops with DDT could initially result in a decrease in their population as the pesticide is designed to kill them. However, over time, the insect pests might rebound, meaning their population starts to increase again.
One possible reason for this rebound is the development of resistance among the insects. Insects have the ability to adapt and evolve, and repeated exposure to DDT can lead to the survival and reproduction of insects that are resistant to the pesticide. These resistant individuals pass on their resistance genes to their offspring, leading to a population that is less susceptible to the effects of DDT.
Another reason for the rebound can be related to the concept of predator-prey relationships. In ecosystems, there are often natural predators that feed on insect pests. When the population of insect pests decreases due to the use of DDT, the available food source for these predators diminishes. As a result, the predator population might decline. With fewer predators, the remaining insect pests have less pressure from predation, which allows their population to rebound.
Competitors, on the other hand, are other species that compete for resources such as food and habitat. If there are competing species that are less affected by DDT or have other advantages, they might outcompete the insect pests for resources. This can indirectly contribute to the rebound of the insect pests, as their competitors reduce the pressure on available resources, allowing their population to increase.
In summary, the rebounding population of insect pests after using DDT can be attributed to the development of resistance within the insect population as well as the disruption of predator-prey relationships and competition. These factors can allow the insect pests to overcome the effects of the pesticide and thrive once again.
My book doesn't specify.
But I would say yes...