Alberta Agricultural Biting Fly Pest
Management (2026 Edition)Comprehensive
Farm Pest Management Certification Prep |
High-Difficulty Multiple-Choice Questions |
Verified Answers | Detailed Rationales in
Italics | Alberta Livestock & Integrated Pest
Management Concepts
Question 1
Which biting fly causes the greatest direct blood loss in cattle
grazing on Alberta rangelands?
A. Stable fly
B. Face fly
C. Horn fly
D. House fly
Correct Answer: C. Horn fly
Rationale: Horn flies remain on cattle nearly continuously and
feed numerous times each day, resulting in significant
cumulative blood loss, reduced weight gain, and lower milk
production.
,Question 2
An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program emphasizes:
A. Eliminating every insect regardless of cost
B. Using pesticides as the only control method
C. Combining monitoring, cultural, biological, and chemical
controls
D. Spraying livestock weekly throughout summer
Correct Answer: C. Combining monitoring, cultural, biological,
and chemical controls
Rationale: IPM reduces pest populations while minimizing
environmental impact and delaying insecticide resistance.
Question 3
Stable flies primarily breed in:
A. Fresh cattle manure only
B. Standing water
C. Decaying organic matter mixed with manure
D. Grain bins
Correct Answer: C. Decaying organic matter mixed with
manure
,Rationale: Stable fly larvae develop in moist decomposing
vegetation mixed with manure, making proper sanitation an
essential control strategy.
Question 4
Which Alberta livestock species is most economically affected
by horn flies?
A. Sheep
B. Horses
C. Goats
D. Beef cattle
Correct Answer: D. Beef cattle
Rationale: Horn flies significantly reduce weight gain and feed
efficiency in beef cattle operations.
Question 5
Economic thresholds are important because they determine:
A. When every insect should be eliminated
B. The legal pesticide application rate
C. When pest numbers justify treatment costs
D. Which pesticides are federally registered
, Correct Answer: C. When pest numbers justify treatment costs
Rationale: Economic thresholds prevent unnecessary pesticide
applications while protecting livestock productivity.
Question 6
Which biting fly spends most of its adult life directly on cattle?
A. Stable fly
B. Horse fly
C. Deer fly
D. Horn fly
Correct Answer: D. Horn fly
Rationale: Adult horn flies remain on cattle except for egg
laying, making on-animal treatments highly effective.
Question 7
Stable flies usually feed on which part of cattle?
A. Back
B. Neck
C. Ears
D. Lower legs
Correct Answer: D. Lower legs
Management (2026 Edition)Comprehensive
Farm Pest Management Certification Prep |
High-Difficulty Multiple-Choice Questions |
Verified Answers | Detailed Rationales in
Italics | Alberta Livestock & Integrated Pest
Management Concepts
Question 1
Which biting fly causes the greatest direct blood loss in cattle
grazing on Alberta rangelands?
A. Stable fly
B. Face fly
C. Horn fly
D. House fly
Correct Answer: C. Horn fly
Rationale: Horn flies remain on cattle nearly continuously and
feed numerous times each day, resulting in significant
cumulative blood loss, reduced weight gain, and lower milk
production.
,Question 2
An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program emphasizes:
A. Eliminating every insect regardless of cost
B. Using pesticides as the only control method
C. Combining monitoring, cultural, biological, and chemical
controls
D. Spraying livestock weekly throughout summer
Correct Answer: C. Combining monitoring, cultural, biological,
and chemical controls
Rationale: IPM reduces pest populations while minimizing
environmental impact and delaying insecticide resistance.
Question 3
Stable flies primarily breed in:
A. Fresh cattle manure only
B. Standing water
C. Decaying organic matter mixed with manure
D. Grain bins
Correct Answer: C. Decaying organic matter mixed with
manure
,Rationale: Stable fly larvae develop in moist decomposing
vegetation mixed with manure, making proper sanitation an
essential control strategy.
Question 4
Which Alberta livestock species is most economically affected
by horn flies?
A. Sheep
B. Horses
C. Goats
D. Beef cattle
Correct Answer: D. Beef cattle
Rationale: Horn flies significantly reduce weight gain and feed
efficiency in beef cattle operations.
Question 5
Economic thresholds are important because they determine:
A. When every insect should be eliminated
B. The legal pesticide application rate
C. When pest numbers justify treatment costs
D. Which pesticides are federally registered
, Correct Answer: C. When pest numbers justify treatment costs
Rationale: Economic thresholds prevent unnecessary pesticide
applications while protecting livestock productivity.
Question 6
Which biting fly spends most of its adult life directly on cattle?
A. Stable fly
B. Horse fly
C. Deer fly
D. Horn fly
Correct Answer: D. Horn fly
Rationale: Adult horn flies remain on cattle except for egg
laying, making on-animal treatments highly effective.
Question 7
Stable flies usually feed on which part of cattle?
A. Back
B. Neck
C. Ears
D. Lower legs
Correct Answer: D. Lower legs
