Insects: Flies (Diptera) Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary mechanism that horn flies use to feed on their hosts?

Proboscis for blood taking (correct)

Chewing mouthparts

Piercing mouthparts

Fleshy, sponging mouthparts

What is a characteristic of the life cycle of Haematobia irritans?

They remain on hosts except during egg-laying (correct)

Females lay eggs in rotting organic material

Pupae do not undergo overwintering

Adults frequently leave hosts to find mating partners

Which of the following statements accurately describes a consequence of horn fly infestations?

They are known to cause minimal irritation to cattle.

A large number of flies can result in significant economic losses. (correct)

They do not transmit any diseases to cattle.

They can lead to increased milk production in dairy cattle.

Which method is NOT recommended for the control of horn flies?

Treating compost to eliminate breeding areas Signup and view all the answers

How can the horn fly be distinguished from the stable fly based on size?

Horn flies are half the size of stable flies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism through which blood-feeding insects irritate their hosts?

Chemical substances in saliva Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence in the life cycle of Diptera?

Egg-Larva-Pupa-Adult Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant concern related to the disease transmission by Stomoxys calcitrans?

Transmission of protozoa and nematodes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a method of pest control for managing flying insect pests?

Introducing chemical repellents or insecticides Signup and view all the answers

What morphological feature is essential for insect identification?

Number of legs and body segmentation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of lice primarily causes anemia in hosts?

Sucking lice Signup and view all the answers

Which life cycle stage do fleas undergo that is distinct from the life cycle of flies?

Nymph Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of the mouthparts of Stomoxys calcitrans?

Rigid and forward projecting Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take Stomoxys calcitrans to complete its blood meal?

3 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which life cycle characteristic is true for Musca domestica?

Lays eggs in decaying organic substrates Signup and view all the answers

Musca autumnalis is primarily identified by feeding on which of the following?

Face secretions of animals Signup and view all the answers

What diseases can Stomoxys calcitrans potentially transmit?

Viruses, bacteria, helminths, and protozoa Signup and view all the answers

How do you identify Musca domestica based on physical characteristics?

Light to dark grey with sticky hairs on pads of legs Signup and view all the answers

What impact does Musca autumnalis have on livestock performance?

Results in a drop in performance due to annoyance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a life stage associated with the typical muscid life cycle?

Eggs are laid in decaying organic substrates Signup and view all the answers

What type of disease vector is Musca autumnalis characterized as?

Mechanical vector of viruses and biological vector of helminths Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Insects: Flies (Diptera)

Flies have three pairs of legs
There are three main body segments: head, thorax, and abdomen
Flies have antennae
Their life cycle consists of four stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult
They are biologically and mechanically important in veterinary medicine since they can transmit diseases
Can cause fly worries, or irritation, as well as fly strikes (myiasis)

Stomoxys calcitrans (Stable fly)

A type of blood-sucking muscid fly
Is similar to house fly but has rigid, conspicuous, and forward projecting mouthparts
Can sit on walls with its head up
Females lay eggs on decaying matter such as damp hay
Requires 3 minutes to finish its blood meal
Can attack animals, transmit disease organisms, and increases head, ear movement, skin twitches, and tail swishes in infested animals

Musca domestica (House fly)

Can grow up to 7.5 mm long
Has fleshy mouthparts adapted to sponging
Has sticky hairs on the pads of their legs
This fly is light to dark grey
Lay their eggs in a wide variety of decaying organic substrates
The life cycle of this fly is typical of a muscid fly
This type of fly is a common sight and can be found in both animal enclosures and within human homes

Musca autumnalis (Face fly)

Often mistaken for the common house fly
Lay eggs in feces or rotting organic material
Annoyance to animals, causes eye disorders, or conjunctivitis
Typically found on animal secretions and wounds
Can be a significant nuisance in agriculture as they hinder grazing
Can transmit viruses, bacteria, helminths, and protozoa
Is a biological vector of Habronema and Draschia megastoma

Haematobia irritans (Horn fly)

The smallest known bloodsucking muscid fly
Can grow up to 4 mm long
Can be distinguished from the stable fly by its size, being half the size, and its shorter proboscis.
Feeds on cattle and can be a concern for farmers because it can reduce milk production and weight gain in cattle
When not feeding, these flies tend to cluster around the horns of cattle
Flies can be found on the back and belly of cattle, though they are typically found on the back
Females lay eggs in fresh cattle feces
Can transmit cattle helminths
Can cause irritation, resulting in an economic impact if there are over 200 flies on the animal

Culicoides spp. (Midge)

These flies are part of the Ceratopogonidae family

Treatment and prevention of fly issues

Use screens to deter flies from entering enclosures
Effective sanitation practices are important in controlling flies
Do not treat compost.

Key Facts

Horn fly (Haematobia irritans) is host specific, feeding only on cattle
Horn flies remain on their host, except when females lay eggs in fresh cattle feces
Stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) requires a 3-minute feeding time for blood meals
Flies can transmit viruses, bacteria, helminths, and protozoa
The house fly (Musca domestica) lays eggs in a wide variety of decaying organic substrates
The Face fly (Musca autumnalis) lays eggs in feces or rotting organic material
The stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) lays eggs in decaying matter like damp hay
The life cycles of house fly, face fly, and stable fly are all considered "Typical muscid life cycles"

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of flies, focusing on the Diptera order. This quiz delves into their anatomy, life cycle, and importance in veterinary medicine, including the stable fly and house fly. Learn about their feeding habits and the diseases they can transmit to animals.