When an invading insect threatens

Answer choices

1. A

   Too Strong (chemically identical) / Unsupported Comparison6% picked this

   The secretions produced by riodinid caterpillars are chemically identical to substances secreted by plants on which South

   We have no info about the secretions other than the ants like to eat them, and no info on plant secretions whatsoever.

   6%
2. B

   Unsupported Comparison2% picked this

   South American ants are more likely to be successful in defending their food sources and territory against intruders than

   We have no info about South American ants vs ants elsewhere.

   2%
3. C

   Trap5% picked this

   With the sole exception of riodinid caterpillars, South American ants will vigorously attack any organism other than ants that use riodinids

   Too Strong (sole exception / any other organism) It's pretty well supported that the ants would attack the wasps for trying to eat the caterpillars because we're told that ants would attakc other bugs, even agressive flying ones. But we can't extend that to any other organism. We have no reason to believe ants would even be capable of attacking a non-insect organism like a bird or a mammal.

   5%
4. D

   Trap2% picked this

   Among insect species that inhabit South America, wasps are the only kinds of organism other than ants that use riodinid caterpillars

   Too Strong (the only kinds of organism other than) Classic trap alert: just because something is the only thing we mentioned with a quality doesn't mean that it's the only thing that has that quality. Yes, wasps are the only other predator mentioned, but that doesn't mean they're the only other predator.

   2%
5. E

   Correct85% picked this

   Riodinid caterpillars in South America that live among ants are less likely to be attacked by wasps than those that

   Why this is right

   Tricky, but a pretty well supported comparison. If we infer that the ants probably attack the caterpillar-eating wasps, it follows that the caterpillars living with ants are less likely to be wasp attacked than those living in places with no ants to defend them.

   Skill tested: Most Supported · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   85%