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Question #46589
The Question
In an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, a crop field is treated with a biocontrol agent belonging to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus to eradicate a specific lepidopteran pest. While the viral application successfully crashes the pest population, ecologists observe a subsequent severe decline in a native, beneficial parasitoid wasp population that exclusively parasitizes the same pest. Based on NCERT ecological principles, which of the following statements correctly explains this phenomenon?
Options
- A.
The baculovirus acted as a broad-spectrum agent, directly infecting and eliminating the non-target parasitoid wasp.
- B.
The rapid depletion of the shared host created a resource vacuum, leading to the indirect competitive exclusion of the specialist parasitoid.
- C.
The viral application directly induced an amensalic interaction (-, 0) between the crop and the native parasitoid wasp.
- D.
The baculovirus disrupted the IPM program by biomagnifying across trophic levels, ultimately proving toxic to the wasp.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Baculovirus|Genus_Nucleopolyhedrovirus|Biotic Interactions - Positive/Negative sign matrix
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Distinguishing between 'direct pathogenic effects' and 'indirect ecological effects'.
The trap lies in the NCERT line stating Baculoviruses have 'no negative impacts on non-target insects'.
Students often misinterpret this to mean absolute ecological stability for beneficial insects, failing to realize that removing a keystone prey/host will inevitably starve its specialist predators/parasitoids through competitive exclusion.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Microbes in Human Welfare - Class 12 |
| Concept | Baculovirus Host Specificity |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |