Question

the corn crop in an area is prone to infestation by larvae from moths that feed on the cornstalks and ears of corn. the techniques used by two farmers to protect the corn crop are described below.
technique a: sprayed his corn crop with an insecticide. the insecticide is known to kill all honeybee, butterfly, and moth larvae.
technique b: used a genetically modified variety of corn. the plant produces an insecticide which selectively kills only the moth larvae as it feeds on the corn.
which technique is likely to have less of an impact on the environment?

○ technique b, because it may help humans who consume corn to fight bacteria

○ technique a, because it kills a broader variety of insects to protect the corn

○ technique b, because it preserves the harmless insects and targets only the moth larvae

○ technique a, because insecticide use is better for preserving the environment

Explanation:

To determine which technique has less environmental impact, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Technique B's insecticide is for moth larvae, not related to fighting bacteria in humans, so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: Technique A kills beneficial insects (honeybees, butterflies) along with moth larvae, which harms the ecosystem, so this is incorrect.
• Option 3: Technique B uses a genetically modified corn that only kills moth larvae, preserving harmless insects like honeybees and butterflies. This reduces harm to non - target species and the ecosystem, making it better for the environment.
• Option 4: Insecticide use in Technique A kills a wide range of insects, disrupting the ecosystem, so it's not better for the environment.

Answer:

Technique B, because it preserves the harmless insects and targets only the moth larvae