Flea Infestations Flashcards
what are the physical features of flea?
adults are wingless and laterally flattened
which is larger - female or male fleas?
female
what is another word for fleas?
siphonaptera
what is the purpose of the enlarged hind legs on fleas?
jumping
what part of the flea aids with heamtophagy?
piercing-sucking mouthparts
are fleas host-specific?
not very host-specific, have preferred hosts but will feed from other hosts
are fleas facultative or obligate ectoparasites?
obligate ectoparasites of mammals and birds
what type of metamorphosis do fleas have?
holometabolous (complete)
where are flea eggs laid?
on hosts nest, resting site, etc.
what happens if flea eggs are laid on the host?
the eggs fall off into the environement
how many larval instars do fleas have?
3
how long does it take for a flea to complete a generation?
2-4 weeks
can fleas survive for a long time without food?
yes
can fleas survive under cool and humid conditions?
no
how are fleas transmitted?
contact with infected hosts and infested sleeping quarters, kennels, nests, dens
how can adult fleas be grouped?
by degree of attachment
what are the 4 degrees of attachment adult fleas are grouped into?
- nidicolous fleas
- those that primarily live on host body
- sticktight fleas
- chigoe fleas
what are nidicolous fleas?
live in hosts nest/burrow and visit host only to feed
what are sticktight fleas?
mated females use their mouthparts to permanently attach to host
what are chigoe fleas?
mated females embeded within the host’s skin
what can mild to moderate flea infestations cause?
pruritis, restlessness and disruption of normal behaviors
flea allergy dermatitis
what can severe flea infestation result in?
severe pruritis, alopecia, anemia, loss of condition, decreased production, and death
what are fleas most commonly associated with in vet med?
cats and dogs and their owners
what are some flea species vectors of?
viruses, bacteria (yersinia pestis), parasitic protozoa
what are some fleas intermediate hosts of?
tapeworms (dipylidium caninum)
parasitic nematodes
how are fleas detected?
adults on host
adults or larvae from bedding debris
flea feces - place on wet paper towel -> red spots
what can fleas taxanomic ID be determined?
preserve in 70% ethanol send to pathologist
what are some comprehensive control program methods for fleas?
eliminate fleas on host
eliminate existing environmental infestation
prevent subsequent re-infestation
what are environmental control for fleas indoors?
vacuum infested areas, wash pet betting, rugs, etc.
apply adulticide + IGR or borate powder to infested carpets, furniture, etc.
what are environmental control for fleas outdoors?
trim trees, shrubs & grass, remove debris
in shaded microhabitats apply insecticides or Steinernema carpocapsae
collect/destroy infested animal bedding, poultry litter, etc.
what are environmental control for fleas indoors and outdoors?
elevate animal cages
what can heavy infestations of flea on poultry cause?
irritation, restlessness, anemia, weight loss, decreased reproductive/laying performance, death
what are the fleas of poultry? (scientific name and layman name)
Echidnophaga gallinacea - sticktight flea
Ceratophyllus niger - western chick flea, black hen flea
Ceratophyllus gallinae - european chicken flea
where are sticktight fleas found?
new world tropics/subtropics
southeastern US
where do Echidnophaga gallinacea prefer to be on poultry?
nonfreather skin on head, comb, wattles, and vent
what can bites from the sticktight flea near the eye cause?
lesions that result in blindness
how are Echidnophaga gallinacea removed?
physical removal, topical pyethrin
what other animals can sticktight fleas infect?
wild birds, dogs, cats, other mammals
what type of fleas are Ceratophyllus spp.?
nidicolous
what is another name for Ceratophyllus niger flea?
western chicken flea and black hen flea
where is Ceratophyllus niger found?
western NA
what is another name for Ceratophyllus gallinae?
european chicken flea
where is Ceratophyllus gallinae found?
worldwlide - in NA primarily N US
what Ceratophyllus fleas infest/bite humans?
C. niger and C. gallinae
where are most fleas that are found on cats and dogs located?
thoughtout coat especially tail,head, neck, and flanks
what can fleas in cats and dogs cause?
flea allergy dermatitis
what is PC and GC in this image?
PC - pronotal combs
GC - genal combs
Do the Ctenocephalides spp. have geneal and pronotal combs present?
yes
what is Ctenocephalides spp. important for the the transmission of?
bubonic plague, tape worm Dipylidium caninum
what species is Ctenocephalides felis found on?
on cats
what is Ctenocephalides felis important for the transmission of?
bubonic plague, tapeworm Dipylidium caninum
what species is Ctenocephalides canis found on?
dogs
what type of fleas are Pulex spp.
nidicolous
what is Pulex spp. fleas a vector for?
bubonic plague
which Pulex spp. flea is the human flea?
P. irritans
what two Pulex spp. fleas can be found on cats and dogs?
P. irritans
P. simulans
where are the two Pulex spp. fleas that infect cats and dogs found?
P. irritans - worldwide, uncommon in NA
P. simulans - new world
what is a flea of small mammals that is found in rabbits, rodents, ferrets, etc.?
Ctenocephalides felis
how are Ctenocephalides felis mostly acquired by small mammals?
acquired from infested dogs/cats
what is a flea that infests goats, sheep, cattle, equids?
Ctenocephalides felis
what are fleas that infests swine, goat, sheep, cattle, equids?
Pulex spp.
Echidnophaga gallinacea
Tunga spp.
what flea of ungulates is this?
Tunga spp.
