2022-2023英语周报高考新高考第14期答案及试题

Pachyrhynchus weevils are found on most islands

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Pachyrhynchus weevils are found on most islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean. If these weevils could fly. that would not be surprising. But they cannot. Why they are so widespread is therefore unknown. But it is one that Dr Huang Wenshan from Taiwan.China thinks he has solved.

One theory. which dates back to 1923. is that the insects are lifted up by a tiny air cavity(气腔）each has beneath its outer shell. which allows the insects to float.Dr Huang' s research into the weevils began when he noted that this theory had never been tested. He discovered. when he put it to the test. that the insects do. indeed, float. But floating in seawater does not do them much good. In his test. all 57 adults died within two days,Clearly.adult weevils are not good sailors. That does not.however. mean that young weevils are not.

Pactyrhyochas weevils have a preference for laying their eggs inside the fruit of a plant called the fish-poison tree. This reminds us of coconut trees. They drop their fruits into the ocean. which carries them away to start growing on distant beaches. Coconuts are protected from being eaten on their travels by having a hard. thick shell. Fish-poison-tree fruits are also protected from hungry sea creatures. But in their case, as their name suggests. the protection is chemical.