Final answer:
The grasshopper population is experiencing exponential growth and has a high resistance to the insecticide being used. This is due to natural selection, where the resistant grasshoppers survive and reproduce, passing on their resistant traits to future generations. Alternative control measures should be considered to effectively manage the grasshopper population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scientist's observations suggest that the grasshopper population is experiencing exponential growth and has a high reproductive rate. After each application of an insecticide, the population quickly rebounds to its previous levels. This indicates that the insecticide is not effectively reducing the grasshopper population, and the grasshoppers have a high resistance to the pesticide being used.
This phenomenon can be explained by the concept of natural selection. When the insecticide is applied, it kills a large portion of the grasshopper population. However, some grasshoppers may have genetic traits that make them resistant to the insecticide. These resistant grasshoppers are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their resistant traits to future generations.
The grasshopper population never reaches zero because even if the insecticide temporarily reduces the population, the resistant individuals will eventually repopulate the area. This continuous cycle of insecticide application and population rebound suggests that alternative control measures should be considered to effectively manage the grasshopper population.