Question

Imagine a year during which aphids are rare, and the wind does not blow many aphids into a particular environment. Mint and clover happen to do well that year, while yarrow and dill do not. What kinds of lady beetle traits would be most likely to be advantageous in that situation? If the situation continued for many years, what would be the likely outcome?

Answer 1

Answer: The lady bugs will most likely die of hunger.

Answer 2

Answer: Those lady beetles that can eat mold and fungus will thrive while those that must eat aphids will likely die of hunger. Mold and fungus-eating lady beetles will survive to reproduce, passing along their advantageous traits. Over many generations, the likely outcome would be that the lady beetles in that environment would evolve to eat only mold and fungus.