Paragraph: Evolution has endowed caterpillars that feed on corn with a unique ability,
they can induce the plant to turn off its defence against insect predators. This helps caterpillars to eat more and grow faster. The agent that causes this effect is the caterpillar’s faeces or frass. The find could throw new light on compounds associated with plant response to pathogens like fungi or bacteria.
Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational, and practical message conveyed by the passage?
a) Farmers can use caterpillars to feed on weeds in their crop fields/ plantations.
b) This finding can help in the development of clinically useful antimicrobial compounds.
c) This finding can help in the development of organic, ecologically sustainable pesticides.
d) Caterpillars can be genetically modified to be predators of the other plant pests.
Correct answer: c) This finding can help in the development of organic, ecologically sustainable pesticides.
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT
Explanation :
1. Key focus: Caterpillars use frass to disable corn plant defenses, related to plant-pathogen responses
2. Evaluating options:
a) Weed control – Not related to passage
b) Antimicrobials – Only tangentially related
c) Organic pesticides – Most logical application as it directly connects to understanding plant defense mechanisms
d) GM caterpillars – Not supported by passage
Option (c) is correct because understanding how pests naturally disable plant defenses could lead to developing organic pesticides that work with plant defense mechanisms.
