ACE Insect Biology & Identification 5

Question 1

Diapause in insects is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A state of arrested development and reduced metabolic activity in response to environmental cues

Answer

Diapause is a hormonally regulated, programmed dormancy that halts development and lowers metabolism, allowing insects to survive predictably unfavorable conditions such as winter or drought.

Question 2

In insect wing venation, the term 'costal margin' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The leading (anterior) edge of the wing

Answer

The costal margin is the thickened, reinforced anterior edge of the wing, often bearing the prominent costa vein that strengthens it during flight.

Question 3

Ecdysone is an insect hormone primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Triggering molting (ecdysis) and coordinating metamorphic changes

Answer

Ecdysone (20-hydroxyecdysone in active form) is the primary molting hormone in insects, released from the prothoracic glands and responsible for initiating each ecdysis.

Question 4

Which characteristic distinguishes Siphonaptera (fleas) from most other holometabolous orders?

Accepted Answer

Adult fleas are laterally compressed and wingless, adapted for moving through fur or feathers

Answer

Adult fleas are highly specialized ectoparasites — secondarily wingless, strongly laterally flattened, with backward-pointing spines and powerful hind legs for jumping.

Question 5

The term 'phytophagous' when applied to an insect means it:

Accepted Answer

Feeds on plant material

Answer

Phytophagous insects feed on living plant tissue; this guild includes leaf-chewers, sap-suckers, seed feeders, and stem-borers and constitutes the majority of pest species.

(ACE) Associate Certified Entomologist Practice Test

(ACE) Associate Certified Entomologist Practice Test

ACE Insect Biology & Identification 5