Question

Diatomaceous earth can be used as a pest control because _________

(a) it is porous

(b) it contains silica which is poisonous for pests when eaten and therefore they die

(c) it snatches out lipids from the outermost waxy layer of pests called cuticle and makes them dry which results in their death

(d) it acts as anesthesia when given in minor quantities but pests die when large quantities are in taken

This question was posed to me in an international level competition.

My doubt is from Biological Classification topic in portion Biological Classification of Biology – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) it snatches out lipids from the outermost waxy layer of pests called cuticle and makes them dry which results in their death

To elaborate: Diatomaceous earth is used in pest control and grain storage. This is because they are abrasive in nature which snatches out lipids from the outermost layer of pests called cuticle and makes them dry which results in their death.