The European gypsy moth was introduced into the eastern United States in the 1860s and spread rapidly.Its caterpillars feed on the leaves of oaks and other trees, and high numbers can defoliate large areas of forest.Recently, a virus specific to gypsy moths has become widespread and has killed large numbers of caterpillars.Before planning a management strategy, foresters want to understand the life history strategies of the species involved in the interaction.What should they conclude about the gypsy moth-oak tree interaction, and about the gypsy moth-virus interaction?
A) Both interactions are density dependent.
B) Both interactions are density independent.
C) The gypsy moth-oak interaction is density dependent; the gypsy moth-virus interaction is density independent.
D) The gypsy moth-oak interaction is density independent; the gypsy moth-virus interaction is density independent.
E) The gypsy-moth oak interaction is density independent; the type of gypsy moth-virus interaction is presently unknown.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both interactions are density dependent because the impact of gypsy moths on oak trees increases with higher moth populations, and the virus spreads more effectively in denser gypsy moth populations.

The European Gypsy Moth Was Introduced into the Eastern United