Question 4
The diagram below illustrates an ectoparasite of farm animals. Use it to answer the questions that follow.
(a) Identify the illustrated ectoparasite. (1 mark)
(b) Name the parts labelled I, II, III and IV. (4 marks)
(c) List three farm animals that could be attacked by the illustrated ectoparasite. (3 marks)
(d) Mention three diseases that could be transmitted to farm animals by the illustrated ectoparasite. (3 marks)
(e) State four ways of controlling the illustrated ectoparasite in farm animals. (4 marks)
Observation
Although most candidates were familiar with tick and the farm animals attacked by it,
many could not name the parts of tick as well as the diseases transmitted by it.
The expected answers include:
- (a) Identification of the illustrated ectoparasite
- Tick
(b) Naming of the parts
I – Sucking mouthpart/mouthpart
II – Head
III – Scutum
IV – Leg
(c) Farm animals that could be attacked by the illustrated ectoparasite
- Cattle - Sheep - Goats
- Horses - Dogs - Donkeys
- Camel
(d) Diseases that could be transmitted by the illustrated ectoparasite
- Tick fever
- Redwater disease/Babesiosis
- East coast fever
- Heartwater disease
- Theileriosis
- Anaplasmosis
(e) Ways of controlling the illustrated ectoparasite in farm animals
- Dipping the animals in acaricide solution
- Spraying the animals with acaricides
- Rotational grazing
- Burning infested pasture
- Quarantine new stock before introduction into existing stock
- Practice good farm sanitation
- Change animal bedding regularly
- Hand pick ticks from the body of animals and destroy