[General] would be found VS would have been found

[norae99]

Hello teachers,

Which one is better in the sentence below, 'would be found' or 'would have been found'? And why?

"In 1950s, Colorado beetles were able to resist chemical insecticides. A scientist hypothesized that bacteria living in the beetles' environment were killing many beetles, because otherwise the beetles [ would be found / would have been found ] in larger numbers."

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[5jj]

Either form is possible. The first would be appropriate if the hypothetical finding of the beetles were to be happening at the same time as the hypothesising about the bateria; the second, if the hypothetical finding had preceded the hypothesising.