18 Questions
What is unique about the proboscis of the tsetse fly?
It is rigid and forward-projecting
What is a characteristic of the sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus)?
It has a blunt head and three main body parts
What is a result of severe infestations of sheep keds?
Weight loss and anaemia
What is unique about the wings of the tsetse fly at rest?
They are held over the abdomen like a closed blade
What is a characteristic of fleas?
They are temporary obligate parasites that feed on blood
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lice?
They have a narrow head that is narrower than the thorax
What is the characteristic of the female hard ticks?
Only the anterior part of their body is covered with a scutum
Which of the following ticks transmit blood protozoa?
Amblyomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp.
What is the characteristic of the soft ticks?
Their body is covered with a leathery soft skin
Which of the following mites causes intense itching and dry skin?
Sarcoptes scabiei
What is the diagnostic method for Sarcoptes scabiei?
Deep skin scraping at the periphery of lesions
What is the characteristic of the adult mites?
They have setae on the body and legs
What is a distinctive feature of deer flies?
Distinct bands on their wings
What is a key difference between stable flies and house flies?
Mouthparts project from the head at a right angle
What disease is transmitted by black flies?
Onchocerciasis or river blindness
What is a characteristic of blowflies?
Metallic blue or green color
What is a common behavior of sand flies?
Active from sunset through dark
What is a physical characteristic of horse flies?
Large size, up to 2.5 cm in length
Study Notes
Lice
- Suborder Anoplura (sucking lice): Linognathus sp. infests dogs, with a narrower head than thorax and incomplete metamorphosis
- Suborder Mallophaga (chewing lice): Antennae stick out from head, blunt heads wider than thorax; Trichodectes canis infests dogs and sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus)
Fleas
- Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) and Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea): wingless, laterally compressed with powerful hind legs and piercing-sucking mouthparts; temporary obligate parasites, feeding on blood as adults and causing anemia; intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum
Flies
Tsetse fly
- 31 species and subspecies, all belong to genus Glossina; yellowish or brown-black, robust flies (6-14 mm long) with rigid forward-projecting proboscis and a closed cell (hatchet cell) between wing veins 4 and 5; wings rest over abdomen like closed scissors
Tabanus (Horse fly)
- Transmits sand fly fever and leishmaniasis; Tabanid flies; large, biting flies (up to 2.5 cm) with big eyes; deer flies (Chrysops) have distinct bands on their wings
Bot Fly
- Infests sheep, also known as Sheep Bot Flies
Ticks
Soft Ticks (Argasidae)
- Infest birds; body covered in leathery soft skin; both males and females engorge when feeding on blood; capitulum situated on ventral side of body near anterior end; veterinary importance in genus Ornithodoros (large animals) and Argas (birds)
Hard Ticks (Ixodidae)
- Oval in shape, pointed at the front; females engorge, while males have scutum covering the whole dorsal side; transmit blood protozoa like Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, and cause tick paralysis and anemia; examples include Amblyomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp., and Hyalomma spp.
Mites
- Adult mites have eight legs; distinguished from ticks by absence of teeth from hypostome of mouthparts and setae on body and legs; Sarcoptes scabiei (mange mite) causes intense itching, dry and thickened skin that becomes crusty; diagnosis: deep skin scraping at periphery of lesions; Demodex spp. also exist
This quiz covers the characteristics and classification of different types of lice, including sucking lice and chewing lice. Learn about the physical features and hosts of various lice species. Test your knowledge of these ectoparasites!
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