While we have seen how natural selection and the use of pesticides can lead to the development of resistant varieties of insects, two economically important flies, the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) and the screwworm fly, can be driven to local extinction by the continuous release of sterile flies of those species. The critical factor is that the female of these species only mates once. But which of the following is/are also necessary for sterile release to work?
A) The target species is truly just one species.
B) The insect can be raised artificially in large numbers.
C) The insects to be released can be sterilized with radiation without affecting their ability to attract a mate in the wild.
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the choices are necessary for sterile release to work. The target species must be just one species, so that the sterile releases can be targeted and effective. The insects must be able to be raised artificially in large numbers, so that sufficient numbers of sterile insects can be released. And the insects to be released must be able to be sterilized with radiation without affecting their ability to attract a mate in the wild, so that they can successfully compete for and mate with wild counterparts.

While We Have Seen How Natural Selection and the Use