"The Bug That's Eating America" Inference Questions

Why can we infer they would show us a picture of the lantern fly?

• To grab readers attention

• To inform you of what it looks like in case you ever see one

• To show you what Milan's watercolors most likely look like

• To distract the reader

Why can we infer communities are waging war against the lantern fly?

• ...because there are too many of them.

• ...because they look scary.

• ...because they have been causing millions of dollars in damage.

• ...because they enjoy eating walnut trees and grape vines.

How does the author believe that lanternflies came from Asia to the United States?

• They hitched a ride with a shipment from China.

• They migrated over here during China's winters.

• Two adult lanternflies came in someone's suitcase and caused a large population to grow.

• It is unknown how they came from China to the United States.

In their natural habitat, lanternflies are also predatory insects that cause great destruction.

• True

• False

Based on this piece from the text, what can we infer is the BEST definition of "invasive species"?

"Here in the U.S., however, spotted lanternflies are an invasive species with no natural predators. As a result, their numbers are exploding."

• A species that benefits its new environment

• A species that moves from one place to another

• A species that goes somewhere, takes over the environment, and causes harm

• A species that has always lived in their native land and has thrived for many years.

What does the author from Penn State University refer to lanternflies as?

• "bad insects"

• "beautiful"

• "invasive species"

• "hitchhikers"

Why can we infer that the cost of destruction that lanternflies causes may grow if they are not stopped?

• They will continue to reproduce and spread throughout the country.

• They become more destructive the longer they live.

• They will eventually become extinct by themselves.

• Their bodies will continue to produce the damaging honeydew.

Why can we infer that you should approach these bugs head on?

• Their eyes are on the back of their heads.

• They shoot the honeydew backwards and you don't want to be hit by it.

• It is believed that they have hairs on their back that act as a warning system.

• They are blind.

Based on the text, what can you infer the word "eradicate" means?

• to kill some of the species

• to ignore them

• to inform more people about a topic

• to get rid of them completely

Why do you infer that Milan is so interested in learning more about the lanternfly?