When a caterpillar emerges from the egg on a tree branch, it immediately climbs upward until it finds a leaf bud to eat. Biologists thought that this behavior displayed an innate tendency to move in the direction opposite to the pull of gravity. In a recent experiment, a strong light source was placed at the bottom of a tree, and caterpillars, after hatching, climbed downward.

Which of the following hypotheses is best supported by the statements given?

• ACaterpillars have an innate tendency to move in the direction of gravity.  
• BNewly hatched caterpillars are unable to see in the dark.  
• CNewly hatched caterpillars move towards the strongest light source in the environment.  
• DNewly hatched caterpillars move toward the leaf bud nearest to them.  
• EThe eyes of newly hatched caterpillars become less sensitive to light over time.