Alberta Medical and Veterinary Entomology –
Biting Flies (2026 Edition)Comprehensive
Alberta Medical & Veterinary Entomology
Certification Practice Exam | Advanced Biting
Fly Identification | Vector Biology | Livestock
& Wildlife Pest Management | High-Difficulty
Multiple-Choice Questions | Verified Answers
| Detailed Rationales in Italics
Questions.
1. Which biting fly is considered the primary biological vector
of bovine anaplasmosis in many North American cattle
operations?
A. Stable fly
B. Horn fly
C. Black fly
D. Horse fly
Answer: D. Horse fly
,Rationale: Horse flies can mechanically transmit blood-borne
pathogens during interrupted feeding. Their large mouthparts
often carry infected blood between animals.
2. Black flies (Simuliidae) require which habitat for immature
development?
A. Dry pasture soil
B. Tree bark
C. Flowing, oxygen-rich water
D. Stored grain
Answer: C. Flowing, oxygen-rich water
Rationale: Black fly larvae attach to submerged objects in
streams and rivers where flowing water supplies oxygen and
food particles.
3. Stable flies primarily feed on:
A. Plant nectar only
B. Blood of mammals
C. Decaying fruit
D. Seeds
,Answer: B. Blood of mammals
Rationale: Both male and female stable flies require blood
meals, making them economically important livestock pests.
4. Which Alberta livestock species is commonly affected by
horn fly infestations?
A. Sheep
B. Dairy goats
C. Beef cattle
D. Swine
Answer: C. Beef cattle
Rationale: Horn flies spend most of their adult lives on cattle,
feeding frequently and reducing productivity.
5. Female mosquitoes require blood primarily to:
A. Increase wing size
B. Produce eggs
C. Digest pollen
D. Build nests
, Answer: B. Produce eggs
Rationale: Blood provides proteins necessary for egg
development in most mosquito species.
6. The painful bite of a horse fly results mainly from:
A. Injection of venom
B. Piercing-sucking mouthparts
C. Cutting-sponging mouthparts
D. Poison glands
Answer: C. Cutting-sponging mouthparts
Rationale: Horse flies slash skin with blade-like mouthparts
before sponging pooled blood.
7. Which environmental condition most favors mosquito
breeding?
A. Dry sandy fields
B. Standing water
C. Rocky hills
D. Snow-covered forests
Biting Flies (2026 Edition)Comprehensive
Alberta Medical & Veterinary Entomology
Certification Practice Exam | Advanced Biting
Fly Identification | Vector Biology | Livestock
& Wildlife Pest Management | High-Difficulty
Multiple-Choice Questions | Verified Answers
| Detailed Rationales in Italics
Questions.
1. Which biting fly is considered the primary biological vector
of bovine anaplasmosis in many North American cattle
operations?
A. Stable fly
B. Horn fly
C. Black fly
D. Horse fly
Answer: D. Horse fly
,Rationale: Horse flies can mechanically transmit blood-borne
pathogens during interrupted feeding. Their large mouthparts
often carry infected blood between animals.
2. Black flies (Simuliidae) require which habitat for immature
development?
A. Dry pasture soil
B. Tree bark
C. Flowing, oxygen-rich water
D. Stored grain
Answer: C. Flowing, oxygen-rich water
Rationale: Black fly larvae attach to submerged objects in
streams and rivers where flowing water supplies oxygen and
food particles.
3. Stable flies primarily feed on:
A. Plant nectar only
B. Blood of mammals
C. Decaying fruit
D. Seeds
,Answer: B. Blood of mammals
Rationale: Both male and female stable flies require blood
meals, making them economically important livestock pests.
4. Which Alberta livestock species is commonly affected by
horn fly infestations?
A. Sheep
B. Dairy goats
C. Beef cattle
D. Swine
Answer: C. Beef cattle
Rationale: Horn flies spend most of their adult lives on cattle,
feeding frequently and reducing productivity.
5. Female mosquitoes require blood primarily to:
A. Increase wing size
B. Produce eggs
C. Digest pollen
D. Build nests
, Answer: B. Produce eggs
Rationale: Blood provides proteins necessary for egg
development in most mosquito species.
6. The painful bite of a horse fly results mainly from:
A. Injection of venom
B. Piercing-sucking mouthparts
C. Cutting-sponging mouthparts
D. Poison glands
Answer: C. Cutting-sponging mouthparts
Rationale: Horse flies slash skin with blade-like mouthparts
before sponging pooled blood.
7. Which environmental condition most favors mosquito
breeding?
A. Dry sandy fields
B. Standing water
C. Rocky hills
D. Snow-covered forests
