Question

The microsporidian Brachiola gambiae parasitizes the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Adult female mosquitoes must take blood meals for their eggs to develop, and it is while they take blood that they transmit malarial parasites to humans. Male mosquitoes drink flower nectar. If humans are to safely and effectively use Brachiola gambiae as a biological control to reduce human deaths from malaria, then how many of the following statements should be TRUE? 1. Brachiola should kill the mosquitoes before the malarial parasite they carry reaches maturity. 2. The microsporidian should not be harmful to other insects. 3. Microsporidians should infect mosquito larvae, rather than mosquito adults. 4. The subsequent decline in anopheline mosquitoes should not significantly disrupt human food resources or other food webs. 5. Brachiola must be harmful to male mosquitoes but not to female mosquitoes.

Answer 1

Answer is option "1,2 & 4"

Explanation:

• Option no 1 is true because, before maturity, the mosquitoes will not be able to cause malaria and will be easier to kill
• Option no 2 is true because, in order to ensure safe control, the Brachiola Gambia shouldn't be dangerous to other animals or insects
• Option No 4 is correct because before applying any controlling measures for a problem, it should always be kept in mind that it should not have negative effects on other food systems
• Hence, the right answer is option "1,2 & 4"