If you were given the task of choosing a biological control agent for a reed from China that has become invasive in the southeastern U.S. ,what do you think would be the best choice? Consider both the effectiveness and the safety of the agent you be releasing.
A)A beetle that feeds upon both native and non-native reed species,and can consume massive quantities of the Chinese reed in a few weeks.
B)A nematode (microscopic worm-like organism),native to China,that only eats the invasive reed species,but can take up to two years to kill a plant.
C)A caterpillar,native to the U.S. ,that normally feeds upon a close relative of the invasive Chinese reed,but has been found in lab trials to prefer the Chinese reed.
D)A fungal pathogen from China that is only known to infect the Chinese reed and can kill a plant in a few months.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fungal pathogen appears to be the safest and most effective option as it only infects the invasive Chinese reed and can kill it in a relatively short amount of time. The other choices have potential drawbacks, such as the beetle feeding on native plant species, the nematode taking a long time to kill a plant, and the caterpillar potentially damaging close relatives of the invasive reed.

If You Were Given the Task of Choosing a Biological