ACE Grooming Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which structure do flies primarily use to clean their compound eyes during grooming?
- Tarsal combs on the forelegs (Correct answer)
- Mouthparts and labella
- Hind tibial spurs
- Antennal setae
Correct answer: Tarsal combs on the forelegs
Flies use specialized tarsal combs on their forelegs to sweep debris from their compound eyes.
Question 2: In social Hymenoptera, allogrooming primarily serves to remove which type of threat from nestmates?
- Ectoparasites and fungal spores (Correct answer)
- Excess wax secretions
- Pheromone residues
- Molted cuticle fragments
Correct answer: Ectoparasites and fungal spores
Allogrooming in ants and bees removes ectoparasites and pathogenic fungal spores, functioning as a colony-level immune defense.
Question 3: How does insect autogrooming behavior affect the efficacy of contact insecticides applied as residual sprays?
- It increases ingestion of insecticide from contaminated appendages (Correct answer)
- It dilutes the insecticide by mixing it with saliva
- It physically removes the insecticide before absorption occurs
- It activates the insecticide's metabolic breakdown
Correct answer: It increases ingestion of insecticide from contaminated appendages
When insects groom after walking through residual sprays, they ingest toxicant from their tarsi, increasing oral exposure and efficacy.
Question 4: The Varroa destructor mite primarily survives on honey bees by evading which defense?
- Hygienic grooming behavior (Correct answer)
- Propolis deposition
- Royal jelly antimicrobials
- Sting autotomy
Correct answer: Hygienic grooming behavior
Varroa mites exploit gaps in honey bee hygienic and allogrooming behavior, surviving in capped brood cells where grooming cannot reach.
Question 5: Which ant species is known for applying antimicrobial secretions to nestmates during grooming, specifically from metapleural glands?
- Most formicine and myrmicine ants (Correct answer)
- Only Solenopsis invicta fire ants
- Only leafcutter ants (Atta spp.)
- Only army ants (Eciton spp.)
Correct answer: Most formicine and myrmicine ants
Most ant subfamilies possess metapleural glands that secrete antimicrobials distributed during allogrooming.
Question 6: When applying dust insecticides for cockroach control, the goal is to exploit which grooming behavior?
- Autogrooming that deposits dust particles into the mouth (Correct answer)
- Allogrooming that transfers dust between adults and nymphs
- Grooming that spreads dust to harborage sites
- Grooming that activates the dust's electrostatic charge
Correct answer: Autogrooming that deposits dust particles into the mouth
Cockroaches auto-groom their antennae and tarsi, ingesting dust particles and receiving a lethal oral dose of insecticide.
Question 7: Termite allogrooming is a critical concern for which pest management strategy because grooming distributes active ingredient throughout the colony?
- Slow-acting bait toxicants (Correct answer)
- Fast-acting contact pyrethroid barriers
- Heat treatment
- Fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride
Correct answer: Slow-acting bait toxicants
Slow-acting baits rely on trophallaxis and allogrooming to spread the toxicant to reproductives before workers are aware of danger.
ACE Grooming Techniques 2
Which structure do flies primarily use to clean their compound eyes during grooming?