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505-555 Level|   Weaken|         
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Premises :-
Painted spiders webs are stickier than webs of other spider species.
Webs are used to trap insects.
Stickier webs do a better job than the non sticky ones

Conclusion :-
Hence Painted spider is more successful in trapping insects

Quote:
(A) Not all of the species of insects living in the painted spider’s habitat are flying insects.
Whether they do or not does not contribute to the conclusion

Quote:
(B) Butterflies and moths which can shed scales are especially unlikely to be trapped by spider webs that are not very sticky.
Only 2 types of insects do not get trapped can not weaken the argument. There may be other insects that can get trapped in large numbers

Quote:
(C) Although the painted spider’s venom does not kill insects quickly, it paralyzes them almost instantaneously.
Strengthens the argument if anything

Quote:
(D) Stickier webs reflect more light and so are more visible to insects than are less-sticky webs.
Correct. If insects see the stickier webs because of reflection then they may not pass from there and thus will not get trapped

Quote:
(E) The webs spun by the painted spider are no larger than the webs spun by the other species of spiders in the same habitat.
Larger or shorter - how that affects in trapping the insects is not mentioned in the argument

Answer - D
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The painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than the webs spun by the other species of spiders that share the same habitat. Stickler webs are more efficient at trapping insects that fly into them. Spiders prey on insects by trapping them in their webs therefore. It can be concluded that the painted spider is a more successful predator than its competitors.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

(A) Not all of the species of insects living in the painted spider’s habitat are flying insects. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(B) Butterflies and moths which can shed scales are especially unlikely to be trapped by spider webs that are not very sticky. - WRONG. Strengthener.

(C) Although the painted spider’s venom does not kill insects quickly, it paralyzes them almost instantaneously. - WRONG. It suggests that the painted spider is more successful but for not the reasons pertaining to its web.

(D) Stickier webs reflect more light and so are more visible to insects than are less-sticky webs. - CORRECT. Reflection acts as a deterrent, at least indirectly, for insects to not come near to stickier web.

(E) The webs spun by the painted spider are no larger than the webs spun by the other species of spiders in the same habitat. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

IMO Answer D.
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Conclusion: Painted spiders are better predators than other spiders. We have to weaken this.

(A) Not all of the species of insects living in the painted spider’s habitat are flying insects. - As long as some species of insects are flying insects and painted spider's trapping record is good, it won't weaken the conclusion

(B) Butterflies and moths which can shed scales are especially unlikely to be trapped by spider webs that are not very sticky. -- We are not told whether Butterflies and moths are preys of spider. Out-of-scope/irrelevant info

(C) Although the painted spider’s venom does not kill insects quickly, it paralyzes them almost instantaneously. -- extraneous info. Has no bearing with conclusion

(D) Stickier webs reflect more light and so are more visible to insects than are less-sticky webs. -- This weakens the conclusion by saying that even though the webs are stickier, they reflect more hence negating the efficiency of stickier webs. Keep it

(E) The webs spun by the painted spider are no larger than the webs spun by the other species of spiders in the same habitat. -- This is not a web area measuring competition :). Strengthener
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Option D gives a point to weaken the statement that although the webs are sticky they are highly reflective and can be seen , thus making it easier for insects to avoid. Thus painted spider will not be a more successful spider
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