MORPHOLOGY, ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR Flashcards
Size: Larger (2 - 4 inches)
Periplaneta americana
Size: Smaller (1/2 - 1 inch)
Blatella germanica
Color: Reddish-brown with yellowish border on pronotum
Periplaneta americana
Color: Light brown with two dark stripes on the pronotum
Blatella germanica
Wings: Fully developed, it extends beyond the abdomen
Periplaneta americana
Wings: Shorter, don’t fully cover the abdomen
Blatella germanica
Ecology: Warm, humid environments (kitchens, bathrooms)
Periplaneta americana
Ecology: Drier environments (bakeries, restaurants)
Blatella germanica
Behavior: Slower, nocturnal
Periplaneta americana
Behavior: Faster, active during the day
Blatella germanica
Location: Scalp, hair
Pediculus humanus capitis
Location: Pubic hair, coarse body hair
Pediculus pubis
Claws: Larger, stronger for clinging to hair shafts
Pediculus humanus capitis
Claws: Smaller, flattened for clinging to skin and hair
Pediculus pubis
Nits: Oval-shaped, near hair shaft
Pediculus humanus capitis
Nits: Round, directly attached to the hair shaft
Pediculus pubis
Transmission: Head-to-heat contact
Pediculus humanus capitis
Transmission: Sexual contact, close personal contact
Pediculus pubis
Resting Position: Body parallel to the surface
Aedes aegypti
Resting Position: Body at an angle, hind legs raised
Anopheles sp.
Wing markings: Black and white markings on legs and abdomen
Aedes aegypti
Wing markings: Dark spots on wings
Anopheles sp.
Breeding sites: Small containers of stagnant water
Aedes aegypti
Breeding sites: Larger bodies of water (swamps, pools)
Anopheles sp.
Disease transmission: Yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika virus
Aedes aegypti
Disease transmission: Malaria
Anopheles sp.
Mouthparts: Sponging for liquids and semi-liquids
Musca domestica
Mouthparts: Piercing-sucking for blood
Tabanus sp., Cimex sp.
Eyes: Large compound with many facets
Musca domestica
Eyes: Large, widely separated
Tabanus sp.
Behavior: Scavenger feeds on organic matter
Musca domestica
Behavior: Aggressive predator bites animals for blood
Tabanus sp.
Flying pattern: Buzzing, slow
Musca domestica
Flying pattern: Fast, erratic, loud buzzing
Tabanus sp.
Body shape: Flat, oval-shaped
Cimex sp.
Body shape: Unflattened, distinct scutum (dorsal shield)
Ixodes sp.
Mouthparts: Hooked for attaching and feeding on hosts
Ixodes sp.
Activity time: Nocturnal (feeds at night)
Cimex sp.
Activity time: Can be active day and night
Ixodes sp.
Habitat: Cracks and crevices near human sleeping areas
Cimex sp.
Habitat: Vegetation attaches to passing animals
Ixodes sp.
Host preference: Dogs (can bite humans)
Ctenocephalides canis
Host preference: Humans (can bite dogs)
Pulex irritans
Head: Narrow
Ctenocephalides canis
Head: Broader
Pulex irritans
Genital comb: Male dog fleas have a larger, more prominent one
Ctenocephalides canis
Genital comb: Smaller and less prominent
Pulex irritans
Jumping distance: Farther
Ctenocephalides canis
Jumping distance: Shorter
Pulex irritans
