Insects constitute the largest animal group on earth. About \[25 - 30\% \]of the insect species are known to be herbivores. In spite of such huge herbivore pressure, globally, green plants have persisted. One possible reason for the persistence is
A. Food preference of insects has tended to change with time
B. Herbivore insects have become inefficient feeders of green plants.
C. Herbivore population has been kept in control by predators
D. Decline in the reproduction of herbivores with time.

Hint: The insects are the largest animal group on earth, where \[25 - 30\% \] the insects are herbivore, and being in such a huge number the green plants have persisted because the herbivore population is kept in control by the predators.

Step by step answer:The herbivores are the largest animal group which are derived from the nutrients of the plants and their products. The \[25 - 30\% \] of the insect species are herbivores which is the largest species of the animal group on the earth. The earth plants are merged with them to survive. The green plants have evolved several adaptations to survive the impact of the herbivore, where the terrestrial herbivore population such as arthropods are kept under control by the predators of the high order.

Hence, the correct option is ‘C’.

Note: In insects about \[25 - 30\% \] the population is herbivore but the green plants are persistent because of the population of the herbivorous insects and are maintained by the predators constantly which prevents the complete utilization of the plant by the insects for their food needs.