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UPSC Prelims 2024 · Environment · Species Watch

The organisms "Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater" are:

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: (c) Insects

Cicada, froghopper and pond skater are all true bugs (Hemiptera) — six legs, sucking mouthparts.

The idea

All three are “true bugs”: insects with a beak-like mouth for piercing and sucking. Every insect has six legs and a body in three parts.

Cicada: the male makes one of the loudest sounds of any insect; the young live underground for years → Froghopper: its young hide in a blob of froth on plants; the adult is a champion jumper → Pond skater: walks on water, held up by surface tension and water-repelling hairs on its legs

Why the others are wrong

(b) The pond skater lives on water, but it is an insect walking on surface tension.

The trap

“Frog” and “pond” pull you towards animals of water.

Also know

Names can mislead in both directions: a froghopper is not a frog, and a silverfish is not a fish.

🔒 Cicada (loud song), froghopper (spittlebug), pond skater (walks on water) = insects.

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