A female mosquito can produce 50-500 offspring in a two-week period of time. This rapid reproduction can also result in fast
evolution for this small insect species. For example, pesticide resistance occurs rapidly in insects, including mosquitos. Insecticides
that were once effective at eradicating mosquito populations are no longer effective. Which component of natural selection is
Likely playing a role in this rapid evolution for mosquitos?
A)
Mosquitoes pass only advantageous traits on to their offspring during
reproduction. This ensures increased survival and reproduction.
B)
Mosquitos produce more offspring than can survive in their lifetime.
Offspring are varied genetically, with differential survival and reproduction.
Mosquitoes that learn to avoid pesticide exposure can pass that
information on to offspring. This increases the survival of those offspring
as well.
D)
Mosquitos have the ability to detect areas with high pesticide loads and
can avoid those areas. This allows mosquitos to survive and reproduce with
more success.