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Questions and Answers
What is the primary diet of Cimex lectularius?
What is the primary diet of Cimex lectularius?
Which physical characteristic is unique to adult bedbugs?
Which physical characteristic is unique to adult bedbugs?
How long does it typically take for a bedbug to reach adulthood after hatching?
How long does it typically take for a bedbug to reach adulthood after hatching?
What is one of the notable defenses adult bedbugs possess?
What is one of the notable defenses adult bedbugs possess?
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What is the primary function of the mouthparts of species in this order?
What is the primary function of the mouthparts of species in this order?
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What is the primary mode of locomotion for fleas, as indicated by their anatomical features?
What is the primary mode of locomotion for fleas, as indicated by their anatomical features?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the legs of sucking lice?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the legs of sucking lice?
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Which species is known as the sucking louse of equines?
Which species is known as the sucking louse of equines?
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What is a significant characteristic of the life cycle of hog lice?
What is a significant characteristic of the life cycle of hog lice?
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Where do hog lice preferentially congregate on their hosts?
Where do hog lice preferentially congregate on their hosts?
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Which flea species is primarily associated with humans but may also occur on pigs, dogs, and cats?
Which flea species is primarily associated with humans but may also occur on pigs, dogs, and cats?
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What is the typical lifespan of a female flea in terms of egg production?
What is the typical lifespan of a female flea in terms of egg production?
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What color are flea larvae, and what is their behavior regarding light?
What color are flea larvae, and what is their behavior regarding light?
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Which flea is known to carry the bacterium Yersinia pestis, responsible for bubonic plague?
Which flea is known to carry the bacterium Yersinia pestis, responsible for bubonic plague?
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What are the two types of reactions most commonly associated with flea infestations in animals?
What are the two types of reactions most commonly associated with flea infestations in animals?
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What treatment is commonly mentioned for reducing pruritus caused by flea infestations?
What treatment is commonly mentioned for reducing pruritus caused by flea infestations?
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Where are flea larvae commonly found in a household environment?
Where are flea larvae commonly found in a household environment?
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How long can the pupal stage of fleas last under average conditions?
How long can the pupal stage of fleas last under average conditions?
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Study Notes
Sucking Lice
- Wingless insects, ectoparasites on mammals
- Mouthparts adapted for sucking tissue fluids and blood
- Two antennae with five segments
- No sexual dimorphism
- Thorax small, three segments fused
- Abdomen relatively large, seven segments visible
- Paratergal plates: dark brown or black thickened chitin at the sides of the abdomen
- Eyes reduced or absent
- First pair of legs usually smaller with weaker claws
- Third pair of legs usually the largest
- Each tarsus has only one claw
- Tibial pad: A spiny pad that helps to hold the louse in the hair
Common Examples of Sucking Lice
- Haematopinus asini: Sucking louse of equines
- H. bufali: Sucking louse of buffalo in Africa
- H. suis: Large louse of pigs
- H. eurysternus: 'Short-nosed' cattle louse
Bed Bugs
- Cimex lectularius
- Attacks humans and animals to suck blood
- 4-5 mm long, flat-bodied, elongate oval shape
- Yellowish brown to dark brown in color
- Head bears long antennae with four joints
- Eyes project at the side of the head
- Wings are vestigial
- Abdomen has eight visible segments
- Whole body is covered with spinose bristles and some hairs
- Tibiae are long and tarsi have three joints
- Adults have a pair of ventral thoracic stink glands
- Mouthparts are modified for piercing and sucking
- Labrum is small and immovable
Bed Bug Life Cycle
- Females lay about 150-200 eggs in dark crevices
- Larvae hatch after 3-14 days at 23 degrees C or longer
- There are five nymphal stages
- Adult stage is reached in 8-13 weeks after hatching
- Bugs can live long and survive starvation
- They are nocturnal insects but will bite in the daytime
- After a blood meal, bugs defecate and turn around near the wound
Bed Bug Control
- Chlordane
- Dieldrin
- DDT
- Organophosphates
- Oil-based sprays with pyrethrins
Fleas
- Wingless insects with laterally compressed bodies, 1.5-4 mm long
- Chitinous covering is thick and brown
- Compound eyes are absent, some species have large or small simple eyes
- Abdomen has ten segments
- Ninth abdominal segment bears a dorsal plate called sensilium or pygidium
- Penis (aedeagus) is chitinous and coiled
- Legs are long, strong and adapted for leaping
- Combs or ctenidia: Large spines on the head and thorax
Common Flea Species
- Ctenocephalides felis: Cat, dog, man, mouse, rat and primates (cosmopolitan)
- Ctenocephalides canis: Restricted to dogs and related species (cosmopolitan)
- Archaeopsylla erinacei: Hedgehogs in Europe and North America. Found also in dogs and cats
- Spilopsyllus cuniculi: Restricted to rabbit and hare
- Leptopsylla segnis: Occurs on the house mouse, rat, field mouse, wild rodents
- Ceratophyllus fascialtus: Common rat flea
- Xenopsylla cheopis: Oriental or black rat flea
- Pulex irritans: Human flea may occur on pig, dog, cat, and rat
- Tunga penetrans: Man, pig, and baboon
- Ceratophyllus gallinae: Common flea of chicken
- Ceratophyllus columbae: Domestic pigeon
- Echidnophaga gallinacea: Common chicken flea in tropical and subtropical areas
Flea Life Cycle
- Female flea lays up to 20 eggs at a time and some 400-500 during her lifetime
- Oval eggs are deposited in dust or dirt, laid on the host, soon drop off
- 0.5 mm long, rounded at the poles and pearly white in color
- Larvae may hatch in 2-16 days
- Larvae are elongate, slender, maggot-like, consisting of 3-10 abdominal segments with long hairs
- Last segment bears hooked processes called anal struts for holding and locomotion
Flea Larval Stage
- Larvae are creamy yellow in color, very active, and hide from light
- With masticatory mouthparts, they feed on dry blood, feces, and other organic matter
- They are found in crevices in floors, carpets, nest litter, sleeping places
- Larval development takes 7-10 days or longer
- Pupal stage lasts 10-17 days under average condition, may last several months
Flea Health Effects
- Mostly found in animals with poor condition, debilitating disease, and old animals.
- Animals are restless, lose weight, and spoil coats by biting and scratching.
- At the site of infection, elevated levels of immunoglobulin E and eosinophilia.
- Severe pruritic reactions at the lumbar-sacral area, abdomen, inside hind legs, and neck.
- Hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratinization.
- 'Miliary dermatitis', flea hypersensitivity in cats associated with small papules and pruritus.
- Important in transmitting diseases.
- Bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis) carried by Xenopsylla cheopis.
- Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) transmitted by rat flea.
Flea Control
- Flea collar with dichlorvos
- Coumaphos (Asuntol)
- Corticosteroids to reduce pruritus
- Premises should be clean with insecticides.
- Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
- Diazinon or malathion
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Description
Test your knowledge on sucking lice and bed bugs with this quiz. Learn about their characteristics, examples, and adaptations for survival. Perfect for biology students focusing on ectoparasites.
