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Insecta

Question Answer Article
Fill in the missing words about the insect body The outer layer of the exoskeleton is called the epicuticle which is made of protein and covered by a waxy layer. The inner layers of the exoskeleton are called the endocuticle and the exocuticle which are made of protein and chitin Link to Answer Article
What are halteres?
  • Reduced pair of wings
  • Used for balance
  • Possessed by diperan flies
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What are spiracles?
  • Chitinous openings
  • On the side of the body
  • Under muscular control so can open and close at will
  • Mounted on stimatic plates
  • Leads to trachea
  • Can be used for species identification
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What is the name of the general insect body system?
  • Haemocoele
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What are oviparous insects?
  • Lay eggs outside of the body which hatch after deposition
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What are viviparous insects?
  • Lay larvae or nymphs
  • Eggs rupture in female reproductive system
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Summarise simple metamorphosis and give an example of a species of insect which uses it
  • Nymph emerges from egg
  • Nymph grows and moults
  • Nymph becomes an adult
  • Lice
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Summarise complex metamorphosis and give an example of a species of insect which uses it
  • Larva emerges from egg
  • Larva grows and moults
  • Larva pupates
  • Adult emerges from pupa
  • Flies
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Fleas

Question Answer Article
What is the most common species of flea which infects cats and dogs?
  • Ctenocephalides felis
  • Cat flea
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Which flea only has pronotal combs?
  • Ceratophyllus gallinae
  • Poultry flea
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What are the key features of Pulex irritans?
  • No combs
  • Head rounded anteriorly
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How is the life cycle of Spilopsyllus cuniculi scynchronised with their main hosts the rabbit?
  • Shortly before the doe gives birth the adult fleas attach to the ears of the rabbit and feed producing a lot of faeces
  • After parturition the adult fleas move onto the kittens where they feed, mate and lay eggs
  • The new adult fleas emerge from the pupa before the kittens leave the nest
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How long do adult fleas live?
  • 7-10 days
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What do flea eggs look like?
  • Ivory-white
  • Oval shaped
  • 0.5mm long
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Which life cycle stage is negatively phototropic and what does this mean?
  • Larvae
  • Crawl away from light sources
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What is the name of the flea juvenile hormone?
  • Methoprene
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Lice

Question Answer Article
What are the characteristics of chewing lice?
  • Broad head
  • Rasping mouthparts
  • Thorax narrower than head
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True or False: Chewing lice are found on both mammals and birds?
  • True
  • Occurs on both mammals and birds
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What are the characteristics of sucking lice?
  • Narrow head
  • Piercing mouthparts
  • Thorax wider than head
  • Powerful legs
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True or False: Sucking lice are found on both mammals and birds?
  • False
  • Occurs on mammals only
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How long does the louse life cycle take?
  • 2-3 weeks
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What is the name of the generalised condition lice cause?
  • Pediculosis
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Which species is affected by only sucking lice?
  • Pigs
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Are birds affected by sucking or chewing lice?
  • Chewing
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True or False: Mallophaga are more susceptible to systemic insecticides than Alloplura?
  • False
  • Anopleura lice are more susceptible to systemic insecticide treatment
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Nuisance Flies

Question Answer Article
What are the two Muscidae species of veterinary importance?
  • Hydrotaea irritans
    • Head fly
  • Musca spp.
    • Face and house flies
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What is the main difference between biting and nuisance flies?
  • Nuisance flies have sponge-like labellum mouthparts
  • Biting flies have pointed mouthparts for sucking blood
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How do Musca spp. cause production losses?
  • Fly worry
  • Reduced weight gain
  • Reduced milk yield
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Give some examples of disease Musca' spp. transmit
  • Viruses
    • E.g. Enteroviridae
  • Bacteria
    • E.g. Anthrax
  • Helminths
    • E.g. Habronema
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True or False: H. irritans larvae undergo diapause?
  • True
  • Larvae undergo diapause and pupate in spring
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What problems can H. irritans cause in livestock?
  • Summer mastitis in cattle
  • Broken Head in sheep
  • Can increase the incidence of secondary blowfly stirke
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Biting Flies

Question Answer Article
Is Stomoxys calcitrans a visiting or resident biting fly?
  • Visiting
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What are the main recognisable features of Stomoxys calcitrans?
  • Forward pointing proboscis
  • Grey colouring
  • Grey stripes on thorax and black spots on abdomen
  • Clear wings
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How do Stomoxys calcitrans cause production losses?
  • Decrease milk production
  • Decrease weight gain
  • Cause fly worry
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Which retrovirus is Stomoxys calcitrans a vector for?
  • Equine infectious anaemia
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What is Haematoba irritans more commonly known as?
  • The horn fly
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Why is Haematoba irritans easier to control than visiting biting flies?
  • Is a resident fly
  • Spends more time in contact with the host
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What are the three most important species of Tabanidae?
  • Tabanus
  • Chrysops
  • Haematopota
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How could you identify Tabanidae species solely on looking at their wing venation?
  • Closed discal cell wing venation
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Why do Simuliidae species have a hump-backed appearance?
  • Arched thorax produced a hump-backed appearance
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Why is the life cycle of Simuliidae species?
  • Eggs laid on plants or stones under flowing water
  • Larvae attach to submerged rocks and pupate
  • Conical shaped cocoon
  • Adults emerge en masse
  • Life cycle takes one month to complete
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What are Glossinidae species more commonly known as and which trypanosomal disease do they cause in humans?
  • Tsetse flies
  • Sleeping sickness
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Why are Ceratopogonidae species a problem to livestock
  • Causes sweet-itch in horses
  • Are vectors for blue tongue
  • Vectors for parasites such as Onchocerca in cattle
  • Cause skin infections in livestock
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Myiasis Producing Flies