UPSC 2017: Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences? 1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. 2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants. 3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Butterflies are important pollinators; their sharp decline would reduce pollination success for many flowering plants, so statement 1 is correct. They are not known to check fungal pathogens of crops, so no causal rise in fungal infections is expected—statement 2 is incorrect. Butterflies form prey for several wasps, spiders and insectivorous birds; their loss would lower predator numbers, making statement 3 correct. Hence, statements 1 and 3 only are correct. ([edukemy.com](https://edukemy.com/blog/upsc-prelims-2017-question-21/?utm_source=openai))