Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences ?
- 1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
- 2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
- 3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2017
Statement 2 is incorrect. A fall in the butterfly population is unlikely to cause a drastic increase in fungal infections of cultivated plants. Fungal infections are typically influenced by factors like weather conditions, soil health, plant susceptibility, and the presence of fungal spores, not directly by butterfly populations. While butterfly larvae are herbivores, their impact on plant health is different from fungal pathogens.
Statement 3 is correct. Butterflies, in their various life stages (egg, larva/caterpillar, pupa, adult), serve as a food source for a variety of predators, including insects like wasps and spiders, and numerous bird species. A substantial decrease in the butterfly population would reduce the food availability for these predators, potentially leading to a decline in their populations due to starvation or reduced reproductive success.
– Changes in prey population can impact predator populations.