18
Question 18
Consider the following :
1. Carabid beetles
2. Centipedes
3. Flies
4. Termites
5. Wasps
Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?
1. Carabid beetles
2. Centipedes
3. Flies
4. Termites
5. Wasps
Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?
AOptions
A
A) Only two
B
B) Only three
C
C) Only four
D
D) All five
BSolution
A parasitoid is an organism that lives in or on its host and eventually kills the host. This differs from a parasite, which typically does not kill its host.
1. Carabid beetles: Many species of ground beetles (Carabidae) are predatory, but some genera (e.g., Brachinus) have larvae that are parasitoids of other insects. So, Yes.
2. Centipedes: Centipedes are predators, feeding on insects and other small animals. They are not known to be parasitoids. So, No.
3. Flies: Many families of flies (e.g., Tachinidae, Sarcophagidae, Phoridae) are well-known for their parasitoid habits, with larvae developing inside or on other insects. So, Yes.
4. Termites: Termites are social insects that primarily feed on dead plant material (wood, soil, etc.). They are not parasitoids. So, No.
5. Wasps: Wasps, particularly Ichneumonid and Braconid wasps, are classic examples of parasitoids. Their larvae develop inside or on the larvae/pupae of other insects, eventually killing them. So, Yes.
Therefore, parasitoid species are found among Carabid beetles, Flies, and Wasps. That is three organisms.
1. Carabid beetles: Many species of ground beetles (Carabidae) are predatory, but some genera (e.g., Brachinus) have larvae that are parasitoids of other insects. So, Yes.
2. Centipedes: Centipedes are predators, feeding on insects and other small animals. They are not known to be parasitoids. So, No.
3. Flies: Many families of flies (e.g., Tachinidae, Sarcophagidae, Phoridae) are well-known for their parasitoid habits, with larvae developing inside or on other insects. So, Yes.
4. Termites: Termites are social insects that primarily feed on dead plant material (wood, soil, etc.). They are not parasitoids. So, No.
5. Wasps: Wasps, particularly Ichneumonid and Braconid wasps, are classic examples of parasitoids. Their larvae develop inside or on the larvae/pupae of other insects, eventually killing them. So, Yes.
Therefore, parasitoid species are found among Carabid beetles, Flies, and Wasps. That is three organisms.
CStrategy
Understand the precise definition of 'parasitoid' (an organism that eventually kills its host, unlike a true parasite). Distinguish between predators, parasites, and parasitoids. Recall common examples of each interaction type in the animal kingdom, particularly insects.
DSyllabus Analysis
Environment & Ecology: Biodiversity (Species Interactions, Insect Ecology). Science & Technology: Zoology, Entomology.
EQuestion Analysis
This is a factual question from Environment/Biology, specifically on ecological interactions. It tests the precise definition of a parasitoid and examples. Centipedes and termites are clear exclusions. Carabid beetles, flies, and wasps are known to have parasitoid species. Medium difficulty.