What reproductive method, requiring no mate, is mentioned as fueling the potentially exponential increase in aphid populations?
Answer
Parthenogenesis
A key factor contributing to the rapid explosion of aphid infestations is their reproductive capability. The text explicitly notes that the more phloem sap an aphid consumes, the faster it can produce live young, often achieved without the need for fertilization or a mate through a process called parthenogenesis. This ability to reproduce asexually means that a small initial cluster can quickly lead to an overwhelming population surge, especially when environmental conditions like warmth are favorable.
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