Our conclusion is: it can be concluded that the painted spider is a more successful predator than its competitors.
Why: We know that the painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than the webs spun by the other species of spiders that share the same habitat and that stickier webs are more efficient at trapping insects that fly into them. We are also told that spiders prey on insects by trapping them in their webs.
Answer choice (D) states: "Stickier webs reflect more light, and so are more visible to insects, than are less-sticky webs."
Well, we know that spiders prey on insects by trapping them in their webs. So, if stickier webs are more visible to insects, it will be easier for insects to avoid getting trapped in them. Thus, even though stickier webs are more efficient at trapping insects that fly into them, because they are so visible, insects will have an easier time avoiding them.
Therefore, answer choice (D) weakens the conclusion that the painted spider is a more successful predator than its competitors due to its web, since the stickiness of its web actually alerts insects to its presence.
Hope that was helpful! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
halleraeMarch 2, 2018
I feel like D is assuming that bugs use sight to navigate, which for many is untrue? I chose A because the passage stated that "stickier webs are more efficient at trapping insects that fly into them", and A identifies a prey that are not flying. Can you please explain why this is incorrect?
hassay18August 7, 2024
Can someone please explain what Hallerae has said?
Emil-KunkinAugust 11, 2024
It's a completely reasonable assumption that a trap that is more visible to its prey will be less effective, all things being equal. It doesn't really matter that nonflying insects get trapped too, we can safely assume that sticker webs are more able to trap the non flying ones as well.
