Following are the steps involved in the application and action of a microbial biocontrol agent used to control butterfly caterpillars: A. The toxin is released in the gut of the larvae. B. Dried spores of the biocontrol agent are mixed with water. C. The insect larvae get killed. D. The prepared suspension is sprayed onto vulnerable plants like brassicas. E. The insect larvae eat the sprayed plant parts. Choose the c

Step-by-step solution

The microbial biocontrol agent used to control butterfly caterpillars is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The correct sequence of its application and action is as follows: First, dried spores of the biocontrol agent are mixed with water (Step B). The prepared suspension is then sprayed onto vulnerable plants such as brassicas and fruit trees (Step D). The insect larvae feed on the sprayed plant parts (Step E). In the gut of the larvae, the alkaline pH solubilises the crystals and the inactive protoxin is converted into