If You Were Given the Task of Choosing a Biological

question 24

Multiple Choice

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.

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Definitions:

Negative Externality

A cost that affects a party who did not choose to incur that cost, often associated with environmental damage, public health issues, or other societal impacts.

Texting While Driving

The act of composing, sending, or reading text messages, emails, or making similar use of the web on a mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle.

Economically Efficient

A situation in which resources are allocated in a way that maximizes the net benefit to society.

Marginal Private Benefit

Marginal Private Benefit is the additional benefit or satisfaction received by consumers or producers for consuming or producing one more unit of a good or service.