Question

shimmering is a collective defense behavior that researchers have observed in giant honeybee colonies. when shimmering, different groups of bees flip their bodies up and down in what looks like waves. this defense is initiated when hornets hover near a colony, serving to deter the hornets from approaching the bees. researchers hypothesize that this behavior is a specialized defense response to hornets, as it is not observed when other, larger predators approach the colony. which choice best states the main idea of the text? choose 1 answer: a hornets are known to be the main predator of giant honeybees. b several different species of insects use shimmering to defend against hornets. c researchers think that shimmering in giant honeybees is a specific defense against hornets. d researchers are unsure how giant honeybees defend against predators larger than hornets.

Explanation:

The text focuses on shimmering in giant honey - bee colonies as a defense behavior against hornets, and researchers' hypothesis about its specialization against hornets. Option A is not the main idea as it doesn't emphasize the defense behavior. Option B is wrong as the text only mentions giant honey - bees using shimmering. Option D is incorrect as the text is about the known defense (shimmering) against hornets, not about uncertainty against larger predators. Option C accurately states the main idea that researchers think shimmering in giant honey - bees is a specific defense against hornets.

Answer:

C. Researchers think that shimmering in giant honeybees is a specific defense against hornets.