The use of the Indian mongoose to control rat populations
A) shows how effective biological control can be.
B) shows why integrated pest management usually fails.
C) became a disaster when the mongoose turned out to be as invasive as its target.
D) is an example of how coevolution makes biological control difficult.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The introduction of Indian mongoose to control rat populations became a disaster because the mongoose turned out to be as invasive as its target. The mongoose caused significant ecological damage, including preying on native bird species, reptiles, and small mammals. This is an excellent example of why using invasive species for biological control is not a viable solution.

The Use of the Indian Mongoose to Control Rat Populations