Which one of the following pairs belongs to the category of primary c…

The correct answer is Option (1) → Insects and cattle

Consumers are named by what they eat. Animals that eat producers (plants) are primary consumers, or herbivores. Animals that eat these herbivores are secondary consumers, and so on up the food chain.

Option (1) Insects and cattle — Correct. Plant-eating insects and cattle both feed directly on plants, so both are primary consumers. The book names insects, birds and mammals as common herbivores on land, and cattle are grazing mammals.

Option (2) Eagles and snakes — Incorrect. Eagles and snakes eat other animals, such as rats and frogs. They are secondary or higher consumers, not primary consumers.

Option (3) Insects and snakes — Incorrect. Insects can be primary consumers, but snakes eat animals. So the pair is not made of primary consumers only.

Option (4) Snakes and frogs — Incorrect. Snakes and frogs are both carnivores. Frogs eat insects, so they are at least secondary consumers.

NCERT Extract:
Energy Flow – “… All animals depend on plants (directly or indirectly) for their food needs. They are hence called consumers and also heterotrophs. If they feed on the producers, the plants, they are called primary consumers, and if the animals eat other animals which in turn eat the plants (or their produce) they are called secondary consumers. Likewise, you could have tertiary consumers too. Obviously the primary consumers will be herbivores. Some common herbivores are insects, birds and mammals in terrestrial ecosystem and molluscs in aquatic ecosystem.”