Question

the organisms in an ecosystem interact in many ways to survive. for example, a rosebush, aphids, beetles, spiders, and orioles all interact in a rosebush ecosystem. the diagram below shows how these organisms interact in a partial food web. 14. if the beetle population suddenly disappeared what would happen to the aphid? explain your reasoning.

Explanation:

In the food web, beetles eat aphids. If beetle population disappears, there would be one less predator for aphids. With reduced predation pressure, aphid population would likely increase as fewer are being eaten.

Answer:

The aphid population would likely increase. Since beetles (a predator of aphids) are gone, there is less predation, so more aphids would survive and reproduce.