Female Australian Dunalothrips [small, sap-sucking insects] create tent-like structures on the surface of leaves to protect themselves and their eggs and larvae from desiccation in the arid Australian climate. Bono and Crespi compared survival and reproduction of thrips that founded structures alone with those in groups of two or more individuals. They found that although per capita egg production fell with increasing group size, foundresses were more likely to survive and lay eggs in groups than when alone. Several studies of other species of nest-building insects have concluded that foundress associations are beneficial to all panics. It is likely that the relative success of groups is at least in part accounted for by a reduction of energy use in the modification of a shared nest.
The author suggests which of the following about the "reduction of energy use"?
A . It may be beneficial enough to insects to offset a decrease in per capita egg production.
B . It has been shown to occur primarily in species of insects that live in arid climates.
C . Its negative consequences for insect eggs and larvae are outweighed by other, more advantageous effects.
D . Its magnitude is most likely smaller than suggested by some early research studies on insect reproduction.
E . It may help insects to regulate egg production in groups that reach a certain population density.
Answer: A
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