Thrips can provide which unexpected benefit to plants?

Thrips can provide which unexpected benefit to plants?

• A. Pollination
• B. Increased seed predation
• C. Enhanced leaf shading
• D. Root system expansion

Answer: (A)

Pollination can be aided by tiny flower visitors like thrips that move pollen between blossoms as they forage for pollen and nectar. As thrips visit flowers, they pick up pollen and transfer it to other flowers, helping fertilization and seed production in some ornamental and turf plants. This incidental pollination is the unexpected benefit described. Thrips are not known for increasing seed predation in a beneficial way, nor do they create more leaf shading or expand root systems, so those options don’t fit as benefits.

Pollination can be aided by tiny flower visitors like thrips that move pollen between blossoms as they forage for pollen and nectar. As thrips visit flowers, they pick up pollen and transfer it to other flowers, helping fertilization and seed production in some ornamental and turf plants. This incidental pollination is the unexpected benefit described. Thrips are not known for increasing seed predation in a beneficial way, nor do they create more leaf shading or expand root systems, so those options don’t fit as benefits.