Answer:
b. In all studied locations, the woodland star rarely aborted flower capsules that contained moth eggs, compared to capsules that had no moth eggs
Explanation:
According to the given information, the moth is the sole pollinator of the woodland star in some locations while the same plant species have alternative pollinators. This means that the plant is not completely dependent on the moth species while the moth is completely dependent on the woodland star as its host.
In the presence of alternative pollinators, the woodland star plants have evolved the mechanisms to abort the flower capsule having the eggs of the moth. This is because the larvae of moth adversely affect its host by feeding on the seeds. So, when the alternative pollinators are available, the plant would not allow the eggs of the moth to develop into the harmful larvae.
On the other hand, in the regions where the given moth species is the only pollinator of woodland star flowers, the plant bears the cost of pollination by not aborting the flower capsules with the eggs of the pollinator.