Alberta Biting Fly (Mosquito) Control
Certificate Exam 200 Questions with Correct
Answers and Explanations
SECTION 1: MOSQUITO BIOLOGY & LIFE CYCLE
1. What is the primary habitat for mosquito larvae during their development?
• A) Dry soil
• B) Standing water
• C) Tree bark
• D) Leaf litter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mosquito larvae are aquatic and require standing water for
development. They cannot survive in dry environments or on solid surfaces .
2. What are the four stages of the mosquito life cycle in correct order?
• A) Egg, pupa, larva, adult
• B) Egg, larva, pupa, adult
• C) Larva, egg, pupa, adult
• D) Pupa, egg, larva, adult
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mosquito life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva (wriggler),
pupa (tumbler), and adult. The first three stages require aquatic habitats.
Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis .
,3. What stage of the mosquito life cycle is the pupa?
• A) Egg
• B) Larva
• C) Adult
• D) Transitional non-feeding stage
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The pupa is a non-feeding, transitional stage between larva and adult
that allows metamorphosis to occur without extensive movement .
4. What is the typical duration of the mosquito life cycle in Alberta during
summer months?
• A) 1–2 days
• B) 7–14 days
• C) 30–45 days
• D) 60–90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under optimal summer conditions in Alberta, mosquitoes can complete
their life cycle from egg to adult in approximately one to two weeks .
5. Which mosquito species is known for day-time biting behavior in Alberta?
• A) Culex tarsalis
• B) Aedes aegypti
• C) Aedes vexans
• D) Anopheles quadrimaculatus
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aedes vexans is a common day-biting species in Alberta, particularly
aggressive in open fields and known as the "floodwater mosquito" .
6. What is the larval stage of a mosquito commonly called?
• A) Tumbler
• B) Wriggler
• C) Nymph
• D) Caterpillar
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The larval stage of a mosquito is commonly called a "wriggler" due to
its characteristic wriggling movement in water. The pupal stage is called a
"tumbler" .
7. What is the pupal stage of a mosquito commonly called?
• A) Wriggler
• B) Tumbler
• C) Nymph
• D) Chrysalis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pupal stage is commonly called a "tumbler" because of its tumbling
motion in water. It is a non-feeding stage where metamorphosis occurs .
8. Which mosquito species is known for overwintering as eggs in Alberta?
• A) Culex tarsalis
, • B) Aedes species
• C) Anopheles quadrimaculatus
• D) Culiseta melanura
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aedes species produce drought-resistant eggs that can survive cold
winter conditions, hatching when water becomes available in spring. This is why
they are called floodwater mosquitoes .
9. Where do mosquitoes belonging to the genus Culex lay their eggs?
• A) Singly on dry soil
• B) In bunches or "rafts" on the water surface
• C) Inside tree holes only
• D) On vegetation above water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Culex species lay their eggs in bunches or "rafts" that float on the water
surface. This distinguishes them from Aedes species, which lay eggs singly on
moist soil .
10. What is the primary food source for male mosquitoes?
• A) Blood
• B) Nectar from flowers
• C) Plant juices only
• D) They do not eat
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar produced by flowers; only
females require blood meals for egg production .
Certificate Exam 200 Questions with Correct
Answers and Explanations
SECTION 1: MOSQUITO BIOLOGY & LIFE CYCLE
1. What is the primary habitat for mosquito larvae during their development?
• A) Dry soil
• B) Standing water
• C) Tree bark
• D) Leaf litter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mosquito larvae are aquatic and require standing water for
development. They cannot survive in dry environments or on solid surfaces .
2. What are the four stages of the mosquito life cycle in correct order?
• A) Egg, pupa, larva, adult
• B) Egg, larva, pupa, adult
• C) Larva, egg, pupa, adult
• D) Pupa, egg, larva, adult
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mosquito life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva (wriggler),
pupa (tumbler), and adult. The first three stages require aquatic habitats.
Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis .
,3. What stage of the mosquito life cycle is the pupa?
• A) Egg
• B) Larva
• C) Adult
• D) Transitional non-feeding stage
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The pupa is a non-feeding, transitional stage between larva and adult
that allows metamorphosis to occur without extensive movement .
4. What is the typical duration of the mosquito life cycle in Alberta during
summer months?
• A) 1–2 days
• B) 7–14 days
• C) 30–45 days
• D) 60–90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under optimal summer conditions in Alberta, mosquitoes can complete
their life cycle from egg to adult in approximately one to two weeks .
5. Which mosquito species is known for day-time biting behavior in Alberta?
• A) Culex tarsalis
• B) Aedes aegypti
• C) Aedes vexans
• D) Anopheles quadrimaculatus
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aedes vexans is a common day-biting species in Alberta, particularly
aggressive in open fields and known as the "floodwater mosquito" .
6. What is the larval stage of a mosquito commonly called?
• A) Tumbler
• B) Wriggler
• C) Nymph
• D) Caterpillar
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The larval stage of a mosquito is commonly called a "wriggler" due to
its characteristic wriggling movement in water. The pupal stage is called a
"tumbler" .
7. What is the pupal stage of a mosquito commonly called?
• A) Wriggler
• B) Tumbler
• C) Nymph
• D) Chrysalis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pupal stage is commonly called a "tumbler" because of its tumbling
motion in water. It is a non-feeding stage where metamorphosis occurs .
8. Which mosquito species is known for overwintering as eggs in Alberta?
• A) Culex tarsalis
, • B) Aedes species
• C) Anopheles quadrimaculatus
• D) Culiseta melanura
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aedes species produce drought-resistant eggs that can survive cold
winter conditions, hatching when water becomes available in spring. This is why
they are called floodwater mosquitoes .
9. Where do mosquitoes belonging to the genus Culex lay their eggs?
• A) Singly on dry soil
• B) In bunches or "rafts" on the water surface
• C) Inside tree holes only
• D) On vegetation above water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Culex species lay their eggs in bunches or "rafts" that float on the water
surface. This distinguishes them from Aedes species, which lay eggs singly on
moist soil .
10. What is the primary food source for male mosquitoes?
• A) Blood
• B) Nectar from flowers
• C) Plant juices only
• D) They do not eat
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar produced by flowers; only
females require blood meals for egg production .
