A microbial biocontrol agent that can be used to control butterfly caterpillars is

Options

A. Trichoderma polysporum
B. Bacillus thuringiensis
C. Streptococcus
D. mycorrhiza

Answer

B

Explanation

An example of microbial biocontrol agent that can be introduced in order to control butterfly caterpillars is the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These are available in sachets as dried spores which are mixed with water and sprayed onto vulnerable plants such as Brassica and fruit trees, where these are eaten by the insect larvea. In the gut of the larve, the toxin is released and the larvea get killed. The bacterial disease will kill the caterpillars, but leave other insects unharmed.