7A Section 5

What identifies an earwig?

Forceps-like pincers at the rear of its abdomen.

What habitat do earwigs prefer?

Moist, protected areas beneath debris and vegetation.

What identifies silverfish?

Wingless, silvery body with three long tail filaments.

What distinguishes firebrats from silverfish?

Firebrats prefer warmer environments.

What identifies house crickets?

Yellowish-brown body with three dark bands on the head.

What identifies field crickets?

Dark brown or black body; usually found outdoors.

What identifies boxelder bugs?

Black bodies with distinctive red lines or markings.

Why do boxelder bugs gather on buildings in fall?

They seek protected locations for overwintering.

What identifies multicolored Asian lady beetles?

Often an M-shaped black marking behind the head.

What identifies brown marmorated stink bugs?

Shield-shaped body with banded antennae and abdomen.

Do brown marmorated stink bugs reproduce indoors?

No; they typically enter structures to overwinter.

What identifies springtails?

Tiny arthropods with a forked jumping structure.

What conditions favor springtails?

High humidity, moisture, and decaying organic matter.

What distinguishes centipedes from millipedes?

Centipedes have one leg pair per segment; millipedes have two on most segments.

What distinguishes pillbugs from sowbugs?

Pillbugs roll into a ball; sowbugs generally cannot.

What is the preferred habitat of sowbugs and pillbugs?

Damp areas beneath mulch, stones, and debris.

How are occasional invaders best prevented?

Exclusion, moisture control, sanitation, and habitat modification.

What should be done with indoor occasional invaders?

Remove by vacuuming and correct contributing conditions.

How many legs do adult ticks have?

Eight legs.

What type of organism is a tick?

An arachnid and blood-feeding ectoparasite.

Which tick is associated with Lyme disease?

Blacklegged tick, also called the deer tick.

Which tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever?

American dog tick.

What is the most common flea infesting dogs and cats?

Cat flea.

What identifies adult fleas?

Small, wingless, side-flattened insects with jumping hind legs.

What are the four stages of flea development?

Egg, larva, pupa, adult.

Where do flea eggs usually develop?

In pet bedding, carpeting, and other host resting areas.

What do flea larvae feed on?

Organic debris, including adult flea feces.

What is important for successful flea management?

Treat the animal through veterinary guidance and address infested surroundings.

Why is vacuuming important in flea management?

It removes fleas and organic debris from infested areas.

Why can fleas remain after adult treatments?

Immature stages may continue developing in protected locations.

What identifies adult bed bugs?

Reddish-brown, oval, flattened insects about 1/4 inch long.

When are bed bugs most active?

Usually at night, although they can feed at other times.

Where do bed bugs commonly hide?

Mattress seams, bed frames, furniture joints, and cracks.

What are common signs of bed bug activity?

Live insects, shed skins, fecal spotting, and eggs.

Can skin bites alone confirm bed bugs?

No; the pest must be confirmed through inspection or monitoring.

What metamorphosis do bed bugs undergo?

Incomplete metamorphosis: egg, nymph, adult.

What nonchemical methods help control bed bugs?

Vacuuming, steam, heat, encasements, and clutter reduction.

Why are follow-up bed bug inspections important?

To detect survivors, newly emerged nymphs, or persistent activity.

What are the four mosquito life stages?

Egg, larva, pupa, adult.

Which mosquito life stages develop in water?

Larvae and pupae.

Which mosquito developmental stage does not feed?

The pupa.

Which mosquitoes take blood meals?

Females of blood-feeding species.

Why do female mosquitoes take blood meals?

To obtain nutrients for egg development.

What do male mosquitoes primarily consume?

Nectar and other plant sugars.

What is mosquito source reduction?

Eliminating or managing standing water where mosquitoes breed.

What does adulticiding mean?

Using approved methods to reduce adult mosquitoes.

What is larviciding?

Treating suitable aquatic breeding sites to control mosquito larvae.

Where do adult mosquitoes often rest during the day?

Shaded, sheltered vegetation and other protected areas.

What should be checked before mosquito pesticide applications?

Product label, site restrictions, weather, drift risk, and pollinator exposure.

What is the first IPM step for mosquito prevention?

Locate and eliminate unnecessary standing water.

What identifies the female black widow?

Glossy dark body with a reddish hourglass underneath.

What identifies a brown recluse?

Uniform brown coloring and six eyes arranged in three pairs; often a violin marking.

Is a violin marking alone sufficient to identify brown recluses?

No; other anatomical characteristics must be considered.

What identifies yellow sac spiders?

Pale yellow or straw-colored spiders that create silk retreats.

What identifies wolf spiders?

Hairy, fast-moving ground hunters that do not use capture webs.

What identifies cellar spiders?

Small bodies, very long thin legs, and irregular webs.

What are the main spider prevention methods?

Remove webs, reduce insect prey, seal entry points, and reduce clutter.

Why identify spiders before treatment?

To determine medical significance and choose appropriate controls.

What should be avoided when handling potentially dangerous spiders?

Bare-hand contact or unnecessary disturbance.

What do most spiders primarily feed on?

Other arthropods, especially insects.