High School

We appreciate your visit to Before it was banned the insecticide DDT was used to combat an organism called the red mite An unexpected result of the use of DDT. This page offers clear insights and highlights the essential aspects of the topic. Our goal is to provide a helpful and engaging learning experience. Explore the content and find the answers you need!

Before it was banned, the insecticide DDT was used to combat an organism called the red mite. An unexpected result of the use of DDT was that the population of the red mite increased rather than decreased, while the population of insect predators of the red mite decreased. What can be inferred from this situation?

1. Environmental changes that affect one population can affect other populations.
2. The red mite and its insect predators were all competing for the same resources.
3. The red mites were immune to the effects of insecticides.
4. Using insecticides is a reliable way to eliminate all insect predators.

Answer :

Final answer:

The increased population of the red mite after the use of DDT indicates that environmental changes like pesticide use can affect multiple populations, often harming non-target species such as insect predators and leading to ecological imbalances.

Explanation:

From the given situation, it can be inferred that environmental changes that affect one population can indeed have significant effects on other populations. The application of the pesticide DDT not only targeted the red mite but also adversely affected the populations of its natural predators.

Therefore, the unexpected increase in the red mite population could be attributed to the reduction of these predators due to collateral damage from DDT usage. This showcases ecological interdependence and also points towards the development of pesticide resistance among certain pests, which can happen when a pesticide is overused.

The historical evidence that bird populations, such as raptors, were negatively impacted by DDT due to eggshell thinning further supports the inference that pesticides can have unintended, harmful consequences on non-target species.

Thanks for taking the time to read Before it was banned the insecticide DDT was used to combat an organism called the red mite An unexpected result of the use of DDT. We hope the insights shared have been valuable and enhanced your understanding of the topic. Don�t hesitate to browse our website for more informative and engaging content!

Rewritten by : Barada