Alberta Biting Midge (Ceratopogonidae)
Identification Practice Examination (2026
Edition) | Advanced Medical & Veterinary
Entomology | High-Difficulty Multiple-Choice
Questions | Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Alberta Vector Identification &
Public Health Pest Management Preparation
Question 1
Which family do biting midges belong to?
A. Simuliidae
B. Muscidae
C. Ceratopogonidae
D. Culicidae
Answer: C. Ceratopogonidae
,Rationale: Biting midges are members of the family
Ceratopogonidae, which contains thousands of species
worldwide, including many important blood-feeding vectors.
Question 2
What is the most common common name for biting midges in
Alberta?
A. Deer flies
B. Stable flies
C. Sand flies
D. No-see-ums
Answer: D. No-see-ums
Rationale: Their extremely small size makes them difficult to
see, resulting in the nickname "no-see-ums."
Question 3
Approximately how long is an adult biting midge?
A. 10–15 mm
B. 6–8 mm
C. 1–3 mm
D. 20–25 mm
,Answer: C. 1–3 mm
Rationale: Most adult biting midges measure between 1 and 3
millimeters, making them among the smallest blood-feeding
flies.
Question 4
Which mouthpart adaptation allows female biting midges to
obtain blood?
A. Sponging mouthparts
B. Chewing mandibles
C. Lapping tongue
D. Piercing-sucking mouthparts
Answer: D. Piercing-sucking mouthparts
Rationale: Female biting midges possess specialized piercing-
sucking mouthparts capable of penetrating skin to obtain blood
meals.
Question 5
Which sex normally feeds on blood?
A. Both sexes equally
B. Females
, C. Males
D. Immature larvae
Answer: B. Females
Rationale: Blood meals provide proteins needed for egg
development. Male midges generally feed on nectar and plant
sugars.
Question 6
Male biting midges primarily consume:
A. Blood
B. Animal tissue
C. Decaying insects
D. Plant nectar
Answer: D. Plant nectar
Rationale: Male biting midges do not require blood and survive
primarily on nectar and other sugar sources.
Question 7
Which wing characteristic is commonly used to identify many
Ceratopogonidae?
Identification Practice Examination (2026
Edition) | Advanced Medical & Veterinary
Entomology | High-Difficulty Multiple-Choice
Questions | Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Alberta Vector Identification &
Public Health Pest Management Preparation
Question 1
Which family do biting midges belong to?
A. Simuliidae
B. Muscidae
C. Ceratopogonidae
D. Culicidae
Answer: C. Ceratopogonidae
,Rationale: Biting midges are members of the family
Ceratopogonidae, which contains thousands of species
worldwide, including many important blood-feeding vectors.
Question 2
What is the most common common name for biting midges in
Alberta?
A. Deer flies
B. Stable flies
C. Sand flies
D. No-see-ums
Answer: D. No-see-ums
Rationale: Their extremely small size makes them difficult to
see, resulting in the nickname "no-see-ums."
Question 3
Approximately how long is an adult biting midge?
A. 10–15 mm
B. 6–8 mm
C. 1–3 mm
D. 20–25 mm
,Answer: C. 1–3 mm
Rationale: Most adult biting midges measure between 1 and 3
millimeters, making them among the smallest blood-feeding
flies.
Question 4
Which mouthpart adaptation allows female biting midges to
obtain blood?
A. Sponging mouthparts
B. Chewing mandibles
C. Lapping tongue
D. Piercing-sucking mouthparts
Answer: D. Piercing-sucking mouthparts
Rationale: Female biting midges possess specialized piercing-
sucking mouthparts capable of penetrating skin to obtain blood
meals.
Question 5
Which sex normally feeds on blood?
A. Both sexes equally
B. Females
, C. Males
D. Immature larvae
Answer: B. Females
Rationale: Blood meals provide proteins needed for egg
development. Male midges generally feed on nectar and plant
sugars.
Question 6
Male biting midges primarily consume:
A. Blood
B. Animal tissue
C. Decaying insects
D. Plant nectar
Answer: D. Plant nectar
Rationale: Male biting midges do not require blood and survive
primarily on nectar and other sugar sources.
Question 7
Which wing characteristic is commonly used to identify many
Ceratopogonidae?
