Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What is the primary reason ants, termites, and bees are less likely to develop resistance?

1. Their genetic diversity is high

2. The reproductive unit is the colony

3. They are not affected by pesticides

4. They have a high mutation rate

The correct answer is: The reproductive unit is the colony

The correct answer highlights the unique social structure of ants, termites, and bees, where the colony functions as the primary reproductive unit. This means that the majority of individuals in these species are often sterile workers or soldiers, which do not reproduce. Instead, the queen or queens are responsible for reproduction. This social system impacts the dynamics of resistance development because any mutations or traits that confer resistance may not be passed on to the next generation as effectively in a colony structure. If one individual were to develop a trait that allows it to survive pesticide exposure, that trait would need to be present in the reproductive queen for it to spread through the colony effectively. Thus, the ability of the colony to remain diverse and adapt is inherently limited if the majority of the population does not reproduce. In contrast, organisms that reproduce independently are better able to spread beneficial traits through generations, potentially leading to quicker resistance development. The factors of genetic diversity, susceptibility to pesticides, and mutation rates are not as significant in the context of these social insects because the colony reproduction system plays a much larger role in how traits are disseminated across generations.