Question

Match the following:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)
• B. (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)
• C. (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II)
• D. (A)-(I), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II)

Hint:

The relationship between Parthenium and Zygogramma bicolorata is one of the most frequently asked biological control pairs in agricultural exams.
Locating this match immediately narrows the options.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Biological weed control utilizes natural enemies (insects, pathogens, mites) to suppress invasive weed populations below economic thresholds.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- Parthenium hysterophorus (A): Controlled biologically by the Mexican beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata (III), which defoliates the weed.
- Opuntia sp. (B): Prickly pear cactus is famously controlled by the cochineal scale insect, Dactylopius tomentosus (I).
- Lantana camara (C): Controlled by the chrysomelid leaf-mining beetle, Octotoma scabripennis (IV).
- Cyperus rotundus (D): Controlled by the nutgrass borer moth, Bactra verutana (II).

Step 4: Final Answer:
Matching the pairs correctly yields: (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II), which corresponds to option (C).