ACE Grooming Techniques 2

Question 1

Which structure do flies primarily use to clean their compound eyes during grooming?

Accepted Answer

Tarsal combs on the forelegs

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Ectoparasites and fungal spores

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

It increases ingestion of insecticide from contaminated appendages

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Hygienic grooming behavior

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Most formicine and myrmicine ants

Answer

Most ant subfamilies possess metapleural glands that secrete antimicrobials distributed during allogrooming.

(ACE) Associate Certified Entomologist Practice Test