"Disappearing Ohio Butterflies Affects All Insects" by Vicky Stein Butterflies pollinate flowers, control plant populations by munching on leaves as caterpillars, and provide food for other insects, birds, amphibians and mammals. Their decline could have cascading effects on forests, prairies and even backyards across North America—vital wild habitats for an abundance of living things. But butterflies also act as big, flashy beautiful warning signs for environmental change. “I think for most of us entomologists, butterfly data are being taken as a proverbial canary in the coal mine,” Shapiro said. © NewsHour Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved. Question Use the excerpt from “Butterflies are disappearing in Ohio. Here’s what that means for insects everywhere” to answer the question. What reasons does the author give to explain the concern over declining butterfly populations? Select the two correct answers.(1 point) Responses It could have widespread effects on natural habitats. It could have widespread effects on natural habitats. It could result in butterflies becoming smaller and less beautiful. It could result in butterflies becoming smaller and less beautiful. It could make collecting data difficult for entomologists. It could make collecting data difficult for entomologists. It could signal other problems in the environment. It could signal other problems in the environment. It would make it more difficult for scientists to study other animals.

1 answer

The two correct answers that explain the concern over declining butterfly populations are:

  1. It could have widespread effects on natural habitats.
  2. It could signal other problems in the environment.