Consider the following:

Question

1. Carabid beetles

2. Centipedes

3. Flies

4. Termites

5. Wasps

Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kinds of organisms?

(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All five

Answer 1

(b) Only three

Explanation:

• Carabid beetles: Not typically parasitoids. Carabid beetles are generally predators rather than parasitoids.

• Centipedes: Not parasitoids. Centipedes are predatory arthropods and do not exhibit parasitoid behavior.

• Flies: Yes, parasitoids are found. Certain fly species, such as tachinid flies, are well-known parasitoids, laying their eggs on or in host organisms.

• Termites: Not typically parasitoids. Termites are eusocial insects that live in colonies and do not exhibit parasitoid behavior.

• Wasps: Yes, parasitoids are found. Many wasp species, especially those in the families Ichneumonidae and Braconidae, are parasitoids, laying their eggs inside or on other insects.

Therefore, parasitoid species are commonly found in flies and wasps, making the correct number three groups where parasitoid species are present, making option (b) the correct answer.