Flea

Classification

Species category: Beg bug and Flea

Scientific name: Siphonaptera

Family: Boreidae

Description

Adults are 1-8mm in length; brownish in colour. The larvae require precise conditions which areassociated with the habitats and nesting habits of the hosts rather than the characteristics of theirblood. Fleas are laterally flattened (side to side), making it easier to navigate through hair and fur.Fleas are prevalent all around the world. Fleas are most commonly found on mammals, although birds may also be attacked. They show acertain degree of host preference, but are by no means host specific and will feed on otheranimals in the absence of the normal host.

Behavior

Adult fleas live exclusively as parasites of warm blooded animals. They will feed on many animals.Fleas don’t have wings but are the most impressive jumpers in the insect world. Moving from hostto host by taking impressive leaps, they reach up to 100-150 times their own height. That’s 18cmvertically and 33cm horizontally. The eggs often drop to the ground from the host and inhabit carpets and other surfaces wherethey find organic matter and other debris to feed from.

8 different species:

1. Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea)

2. Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea)

3. Pulex irritans (Human flea)

4. Spilopsyllus cuniculi (rabbit flea)

5. Xenopsylla cheopis (tropical rat flea)

6. Archaeopsyllus erinacei (hedgehog flea)

7. Ceratophyllus gallinae (bird flea)

8. Hystrichopsylla talpae (mole flea).