Which statement best describes how the evolution of pesticide resistance occurs in a population of insects? a. individual members of the population slowly adapt to the presence of the chemical by striving to meet the new challengeb. all insects exposed to the insecticide begin to use a formerly silent gene to make a new enzyme that breaks down the insecticide moleculesc. insects observe the behavior of other insects that survive pesticide application, and adjust their own behaviors to copy those of the survivorsd. a number of genetically resistant pesticide survivors reproduce. the next generation of insects contains more genes from the survivors than it does from susceptible individuals

D. A number of genetically resistant pesticide survivors reproduce. The next generation of insects contains more genes from the survivors than it does from susceptible individuals

Explanation:

Pesticide resistances in a population of insects usually occurs as a consequence of mutation. Individuals that carry the resistance mutation become favourable by natural selection.

Natural selection is evolutionary mechanism which favours traits of an organism that help him survive and reproduce. In the example, above,   resistant insects that survived after the use of pesticide had the favuoruable trait (resistance) by natural selection.

this is a good question! i'll do some research and come back when i have the answer!