Final answer:
True, an insect that eats Balsam Fir can mature into the adult stage if that is its dietary requirement. Most insects undergo complete metamorphosis and natural selection can favor insects that are better adapted to their food sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an insect eats Balsam Fir, whether it will mature into the adult stage depends on the species and its dietary needs for development. It is true that only the adult insect can mate and reproduce, indicating the necessity for an insect to reach its adult form. Most insects undergo complete metamorphosis, a process consisting of egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, with each looking different from the others.
During the larval stage, insects often have chewing mouthparts, and in the case of the butterfly, it has specific types of cells that eventually differentiate into the various butterfly parts. The larva does not eat or move when it forms into a pupa. Then, over time, if a particular type of insect has an enhanced sense of smell for resources like Balsam Fir, natural selection may favor these insects, potentially leading to a population with improved survival and reproductive success due to better resource acquisition.