Question

Some researchers are studying parasitic fungi for use as insecticides due to their natural ability to penetrate and destroy insect tissues. Other researchers argue that there are few potential uses for the fungi as insecticides with multiple targets. Which fact from the passage supports the argument that parasitic fungi offer, at best, severely limited potential as insecticides that target many kinds of insects? O A. The fungi reproduce inside an insect's body. The fungi entirely control the insects' O B. behavior. O C. Some of the fungi may be host-specific parasites. O D. Some of the fungi produce pods that grow from an insect's head.​

Answer 1

The fact from the passage that supports the argument that parasitic fungi offer severely limited potential as insecticides that target many kinds of insects is: "Some of the fungi may be host-specific parasites" (Option C). This implies that the fungi may not be effective against a wide range of insect species, but rather only against specific ones. Therefore, their potential as a broad-spectrum insecticide may be limited. Options A, B, and D all describe characteristics of parasitic fungi that suggest they are effective at controlling insects, rather than supporting the argument that their potential is limited.