UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 12
Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences ?
- Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
- There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
- 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 :
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Butterflies pollinate some flowering plants and provide prey for other organisms. Their loss can reduce pollination and affect predators, but a drastic crop-fungal-infection surge is not a direct established consequence.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Correct - Butterflies act as pollinators of certain plants.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - There is no general direct ecological rule that losing butterflies greatly increases fungal disease in crops.
Statement/Item 3: Correct - Some wasps, spiders and birds feed on butterflies or caterpillars, so food-web populations may decline.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - omits correct statement/item 3.
B: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2; omits correct statement/item 1.
C: Correct - includes all and only the true statements/items.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2.