Parasitic Arthropods and Arthropod Vectors

A Life Cycle Project developed by Maya Merritt

 

North Carolina State Objectives

Competency Goal 4: The learner will develop an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.

Time Required

Five 50 minutes class periods

 Day 1 – Powerpoint presentation

 Day 2 – library research

 Day 3 – format projects

 Day 4 – put projects together

 Day 5 - presentation

 

 

Project description: Working in pairs, students are to create a life cycle poster and oral presentation on an arthropod parasite of their choice.  They may also decide to research an arthropod which is a vector for other parasites.

 

You can provide students with a list of possible parasites for research, or allow them to choose their own.  Although parasites on humans certainly hold much interest, they may also choose insect parasites on other organisms.

The following is a list of parasitic arthropods or parasites that use arthropods as vectors:

 

Arthropod Parasites

Parasites with Arthropod Vectors

Horse fly

vector of Trypanosoma spp. (African Sleeping Sickness) is the tse tse fly

Mosquito, any species

vector of Plasmodium spp: (Malaria) is the mosquito

Aedes aegypti mosquito (Yellow fever)

vector of Dirofilaria immitis (Canine heartworm) is the mosquito

Sarcoptes scabei: causes scabies

vector of Onchocerca volvulus (River Blindness) is the black fly

fleas

vector of Leishmania is the sand fly

Ichneumon wasp: insect parasite

vector of Babesia is the tick

Braconid wasp: insect parasite

vector of Rickettsiae includes the human body louse and ticks

Bed bugs

vector of cat tapeworm is the flea

Parasite Life Cycle Instructions for Students

You and your partner are going to research a parasite of your choice.  The project will culminate in a 5 minute presentation to the class as well as the creation of a life cycle poster.  The criteria for the project are listed below.

 PRESENTATION
  • Time: The presentation must be under 5 minutes.                                  
  • Eye Contact: Minimize reliance on notes so you can view the audience.
  • Volume: Speak at a level that is audible throughout the room.
  • Cooperative Effort : Both members should participate equally.               
  • Overall Presentation: This includes pronunciation, preparedness, flow, etc.

    INFORMATION
  • Taxomonic classification: Classify the parasite from kingdom to species.
  • Parasite name: What is the parasite’s scientific name? Does it have a

common name?

  • Name of disease: Is there a disease name associated with the parasite?
  • Host or hosts involved: Give all hosts involved in the life of this parasite.
  • Description of life cycle: Describe the life cycle of the parasite on your poster.
  • Region: Where in the world is this parasite a problem?
  • Symptoms: What symptoms might this parasite cause?
  • Role as a vector: Does this parasite act as a vector for other parasites?
  • Prevention/Treatment: What can we do to prevent the disease caused by this parasite or to treat the disease once infected?
  • Economic implications: What are the economic costs or benefits that are incurred as a result of this parasite?                           
  • Life cycle poster: Make sure the poster you and your partner create is neat, grammatically correct, and easily viewable from the back of the room.
  • Bibliography: Do you have a bibliography crediting all sources for the information and pictures you used?