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Apples and plums are grown in North America as food crops - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 13 - 2019
Question 13
Apples and plums are grown in North America as food crops. Brown stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) feed on apples and plums reducing fruit yield. Insecticides are often... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Apples and plums are grown in North America as food crops - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 13 - 2019
Step 1
State how the use of insecticides can be harmful to the environment.
Answer
The use of insecticides can be harmful to the environment in several ways. They can cause bioconcentration and biomagnification within the food chain, which leads to toxic effects on non-target species. Additionally, insecticides can persist in the environment, leading to prolonged exposure for various organisms. This can result in a decrease in biodiversity and the development of resistance in pests.
Step 2
Explain why this method of control would require the use of less insecticide.
Answer
Wheel bugs are predators of brown stink bugs, meaning they naturally reduce the population of these pests. As a result, the reliance on insecticides decreases because the wheel bugs help to control the pest population effectively, leading to the need for fewer chemical interventions.
Step 3
Step 4
Describe evidence that could suggest the wheel bugs had become an invasive species.
Answer
Evidence that could suggest the wheel bugs had become an invasive species includes rapid spread within the UK environment, leading to observable population growth and competition with native species for resources. Additionally, if they begin to disrupt existing ecosystems or predation patterns, it would indicate their invasive nature.
Step 5
Give one reason why invasive species are more successful in their new habitat.
Answer
Invasive species are often more successful in their new habitats because they are free from their natural predators, competitors, pathogens, and parasites. This absence allows them to proliferate and dominate their new environment.