Answer: Biological control through predation.
- A Mutualism benefiting both the cactus moth and the prickly pear
- B Biological control through predation
- C Commensalism, where the moth benefits without affecting the cactus
- D Amensalism, where the cactus is harmed with no effect on the moth
Correct answer: B. Biological control through predation
Explanation: The cactus moth was deliberately introduced as a predator/herbivore to control the invasive prickly pear cactus, an example of biological control.
Exponential growth produces an ever-steepening J-curve with no limit, an unrealistic long-term model; logistic growth produces an S-curve that levels off at the carrying capacity K, as growth rate (K−N)/K shrinks to zero once resources are fully used.
Concept context
How organisms interact with abiotic factors and respond to stress, plus population attributes, growth models, and interspecific interactions such as predation, competition, and mutualism.