Final answer:
Competition might limit the dispersal of a new insect species by reducing available resources, which is influenced by the competitive exclusion principle. This can lead to adaptation, migration, or extinction of the less competitive species, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem productivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a new species of insect were introduced to an area, competition might limit its dispersal by reducing available resources (Option B). This competition occurs when multiple species vie for the same limited resources, such as food, space, or mates. In the context of biological interactions, this is known as competition for limited resources. The arrival of a new species can lead to direct competition with native species, potentially leading to a decrease in the availability of those resources for all competitors.
Competition drives evolutionary processes as outlined by the competitive exclusion principle, which states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist at constant population values if other ecological factors remain constant. One species will outcompete the other, leading to the adaptation, migration, or even extinction of the less competitive species. For example, the introduction of an invasive species often results in diminished biodiversity and ecosystem productivity due to competition with native species.