Discussion

Explanation:

The main points in the précis are:

  • The North American walnut sphinx moth caterpillars scare off potential predators by producing a whistle that imitates bird alarm calls
  • Initially the whistle was thought to be just a startling sound but it was found that the whistle mimicked a bird alarm call
  • The whistles are quite loud for such a tiny creature

Option 1 is incorrect. It does not mention that the caterpillars are a surprising example of how the sound produced is not a random sound but one that mimics alarm calls for birds. Eliminate option 1.
Option 2 is incorrect as the option misses the most important point of the précis – that the caterpillar sounds mimic avian alarm calls. Eliminate option 2.
Option 3 is correct. The caterpillars use “acoustic deception” to defend themselves by making bird alarm calls. This is the precise point of the précis. Retain option 3.
Option 4 is incorrect. The writer does not indicate that caterpillars resort to camouflage in the use of this defence mechanism. Eliminate option 4.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

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