7. In Australia, some native bugs eat the large fruit of an invasive plant by making a hole in the fruit's thick skin with their mouthparts. The table below shows data that scientists collected about
the bugs before and after the invasive plants were introduced. (S7L5a) 1 pt.
Before Invasive Plants
6.81 mm
After Invasive Plants
7.41 mm
6.08 mm
Bug Characteristics
average length of
mouthparts (female)
average length of
mouthparts (male)
average body length
(female)
average body length
(male)
6.48 mm
13.24 mm
13.65 mm
11.63 mm
11.92 mm
Based on the information in the table, which of the following best explains why this bug
population has changed since the introduction of the invasive plants?
A. The bugs are unable to feed on native fruits.
B. Bugs with shorter mouthparts have all died off.
C. Bugs with shorter mouthparts have all died off.
D. The bugs have started cross-breeding with a larger species.