Order Siphonoptera
Fleas
General Description
The name Siphonoptera is derived from the Greek words "siphon" meaning a tube or pipe and "aptera" meaning wingless.
Fleas are small laterally compressed (flattened from side to side) holometabolous (having a complete metamorphosis) insects. They are all apterous (flightless [from a = not, and pteron = wing]). Fossil fleas have been recorded from the Lower Cretaceous.
Morphological Characteristics
Immatures:
 | Body vermiform (maggot-like), sparsely covered with hairs |
| Head reduced, eyeless, mouthparts mandibulate |
Adults:
| Body bilaterally flattened |
| Antennae short, usually concealed in grooves on head. |
| Wingless. |
| Mouth parts haustellate (punch-sucking type). |
| Large bristles (ctenidia) often present on head or thorax (genal and pronotal combs) |
| Hind femur enlarged, adapted for jumping |
Biology
| Larvae live entirely free outside the host. |
| They have a wormlike shape, completely different from the adults. |
| When fully developed, larvae spin a silken cocoon and pupate. They undergo a complete metamorphosis. |
| Many species are not host specific in their selection and may feed on various hosts. |
| Adults are external parasites of mammals. Larvae usually live in burrows, nests, tree holes and so forth where the host rest or stay. |
| Larvae feed on dead organic matter as excreted blood of adult fleas. Adults are bloodsucker. |
| Easily move from one individual host to the other by jumping. |
| Can easily survive several weeks without feeding. |
| Can transmit numerous diseases to mammals, including man. |
Distribution
Fleas are typically associated with mammals (and occasionally birds) throughout the world. The greatest diversity occurs in temperate zones. In North America, there are 325 species in 7 families; worldwide, there are almost 2,400 species in 16 families.
Economic Importance
Fleas may transmit pathogens that cause disease in humans and other animals. Cat and dog fleas, for example, are intermediate hosts for a tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). Rabbit fleas spread a myxomatosis virus within rabbit populations, and the oriental rat flea is the primary vector of Yersinia (=Pasturella) pestis, the bacterial pathogen for bubonic plague. In addition, fleas have annoying bites.
Interesting Facts
| Fleas can jump 150 times their body length and 80 times their own height. |
| The biggest flea in the world is the North American Hystrichopsylla schefferi which is about 12 mm long. |
Safer Flea
Control
Flea News
Siphonaptera newsletter.
Fleas - factsheet
containing control measures.
Basic Biology of Fleas
Fleas by P. G. Koehler
Computer Verified training
tutorial on integrated pest management
Pest species information for
householders and educators