2022 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I

Question 90: Environment and Ecology

Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi ?

aAnt
bCockroach
cCrab
dSpider

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Leafcutter ants of the tribe Attini cut leaves and carry them to their nests, where they use them to grow a fungus that is their food. This is a classic case of farming by an insect; some termites also farm fungus. Cockroaches, crabs and spiders are not known as fungus cultivators.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Correct. Leafcutter ants cultivate fungus in their nests.
  • (b) Cockroaches are scavengers and do not farm fungi.
  • (c) Crabs do not cultivate fungi.
  • (d) Spiders are predators and do not farm fungi.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.