Alberta Stable Fly (Stomoxys calcitrans)
Control Practice Examination (2026
Edition)Latest Alberta Livestock Pest
Management Standards | Advanced Stable Fly
Biology, Surveillance, Prevention & Integrated
Control |High-Quality Multiple-Choice
Questions | Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales in Italics | Professional Certification
& Agricultural Pest Management Preparation
1. What characteristic best distinguishes the stable fly from
the common house fly?
A. Metallic green coloration
B. Hairy thorax without wings
C. Forward-projecting piercing proboscis used for blood-
feeding
D. Reduced compound eyes
Answer: C
,Rationale: Stable flies possess a rigid, bayonet-like proboscis
that projects forward and pierces the skin to obtain blood
meals. House flies have soft, sponging mouthparts and cannot
bite.
2. Stable flies primarily feed on:
A. Plant nectar only
B. Animal feces only
C. Blood from livestock and wildlife
D. Stored grain
Answer: C
Rationale: Both male and female stable flies require blood
meals for survival and reproduction, making them important
livestock pests.
3. Which Alberta livestock species is commonly affected by
stable flies?
A. Sheep only
B. Poultry only
C. Fish
, D. Cattle, horses, and other livestock
Answer: D
Rationale: Stable flies attack many warm-blooded animals, with
cattle and horses experiencing significant production losses.
4. Stable flies most frequently bite cattle on the:
A. Back
B. Horns
C. Lower legs
D. Tail switch
Answer: C
Rationale: Stable flies prefer feeding on the lower legs where
hair is sparse and blood vessels are accessible.
5. Stable flies belong to which insect order?
A. Coleoptera
B. Lepidoptera
C. Hemiptera
D. Diptera
Control Practice Examination (2026
Edition)Latest Alberta Livestock Pest
Management Standards | Advanced Stable Fly
Biology, Surveillance, Prevention & Integrated
Control |High-Quality Multiple-Choice
Questions | Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales in Italics | Professional Certification
& Agricultural Pest Management Preparation
1. What characteristic best distinguishes the stable fly from
the common house fly?
A. Metallic green coloration
B. Hairy thorax without wings
C. Forward-projecting piercing proboscis used for blood-
feeding
D. Reduced compound eyes
Answer: C
,Rationale: Stable flies possess a rigid, bayonet-like proboscis
that projects forward and pierces the skin to obtain blood
meals. House flies have soft, sponging mouthparts and cannot
bite.
2. Stable flies primarily feed on:
A. Plant nectar only
B. Animal feces only
C. Blood from livestock and wildlife
D. Stored grain
Answer: C
Rationale: Both male and female stable flies require blood
meals for survival and reproduction, making them important
livestock pests.
3. Which Alberta livestock species is commonly affected by
stable flies?
A. Sheep only
B. Poultry only
C. Fish
, D. Cattle, horses, and other livestock
Answer: D
Rationale: Stable flies attack many warm-blooded animals, with
cattle and horses experiencing significant production losses.
4. Stable flies most frequently bite cattle on the:
A. Back
B. Horns
C. Lower legs
D. Tail switch
Answer: C
Rationale: Stable flies prefer feeding on the lower legs where
hair is sparse and blood vessels are accessible.
5. Stable flies belong to which insect order?
A. Coleoptera
B. Lepidoptera
C. Hemiptera
D. Diptera
