Question

the population of mice in a local forest ecosystem has recently died out due to disease. in the past, these mice were the main predators of the forest beetles.
what is the best prediction about what will happen to the beetles?
a the drop in the mouse population will lead to a drop in the beetle population.
b the drop in the mouse population will lead to no change in the beetle population.
c the drop in the mouse population will lead to an increase in the beetle population.
d the increase in the mouse population will lead to an increase in the beetle population.

Explanation:

Mice are the main predators of beetles. When a predator population decreases, the prey population typically increases because predation pressure is reduced.

Answer:

C. The drop in the mouse population will lead to an increase in the beetle population.