NEETZoologyOrganisms and Populations
How was the prickly pear cactus problem in Australia ultimately resolved?
Options
- ABy removing all the cacti manually
- BBy introducing a cactus-feeding predator (a moth) from its natural habitat
- CBy using chemical herbicides
- DBy altering the soil conditions
Correct answer
B. By introducing a cactus-feeding predator (a moth) from its natural habitat
Step-by-step solution
The prickly pear cactus introduced into Australia in the early 1920’s caused havoc by spreading rapidly into millions of hectares of rangeland. Finally, the invasive cactus was brought under control only after a cactus-feeding predator (a moth) from its natural habitat was introduced into the country . Biological control methods adopted in agricultural pest control are based on the ability of the predator to regulate prey population. Predators also help in maintaining species diversity in a community, by reducing t