Flea Infestations

Question 1

what are the physical features of flea?

Answer 1

adults are wingless and laterally flattened

Question 2

which is larger - female or male fleas?

Answer 2

female

Question 3

what is another word for fleas?

Answer 3

siphonaptera

Question 4

what is the purpose of the enlarged hind legs on fleas?

Answer 4

jumping

Question 5

what part of the flea aids with heamtophagy?

Answer 5

piercing-sucking mouthparts

Question 6

are fleas host-specific?

Answer 6

not very host-specific, have preferred hosts but will feed from other hosts

Question 7

are fleas facultative or obligate ectoparasites?

Answer 7

obligate ectoparasites of mammals and birds

Question 8

what type of metamorphosis do fleas have?

Answer 8

holometabolous (complete)

Question 9

where are flea eggs laid?

Answer 9

on hosts nest, resting site, etc.

Question 10

what happens if flea eggs are laid on the host?

Answer 10

the eggs fall off into the environement

Question 11

how many larval instars do fleas have?

Answer 11

3

Question 12

how long does it take for a flea to complete a generation?

Answer 12

2-4 weeks

Question 13

can fleas survive for a long time without food?

Answer 13

yes

Question 14

can fleas survive under cool and humid conditions?

Answer 14

no

Question 15

how are fleas transmitted?

Answer 15

contact with infected hosts and infested sleeping quarters, kennels, nests, dens

Question 16

how can adult fleas be grouped?

Answer 16

by degree of attachment

Question 17

what are the 4 degrees of attachment adult fleas are grouped into?

Answer 17

1. nidicolous fleas
2. those that primarily live on host body
3. sticktight fleas
4. chigoe fleas

Question 18

what are nidicolous fleas?

Answer 18

live in hosts nest/burrow and visit host only to feed

Question 19

what are sticktight fleas?

Answer 19

mated females use their mouthparts to permanently attach to host

Question 20

what are chigoe fleas?

Answer 20

mated females embeded within the host’s skin

Question 21

what can mild to moderate flea infestations cause?

Answer 21

pruritis, restlessness and disruption of normal behaviors
flea allergy dermatitis

Question 22

what can severe flea infestation result in?

Answer 22

severe pruritis, alopecia, anemia, loss of condition, decreased production, and death

Question 23

what are fleas most commonly associated with in vet med?

Answer 23

cats and dogs and their owners

Question 24

what are some flea species vectors of?

Answer 24

viruses, bacteria (yersinia pestis), parasitic protozoa

Question 25

what are some fleas intermediate hosts of?

Answer 25

tapeworms (**dipylidium caninum**) parasitic nematodes

Question 26

how are fleas detected?

Answer 26

adults on host adults or larvae from bedding debris flea feces - place on wet paper towel -> red spots

Question 27

what can fleas taxanomic ID be determined?

Answer 27

preserve in 70% ethanol send to pathologist

Question 28

what are some comprehensive control program methods for fleas?

Answer 28

eliminate fleas on host eliminate existing environmental infestation prevent subsequent re-infestation

Question 29

what are environmental control for fleas indoors?

Answer 29

vacuum infested areas, wash pet betting, rugs, etc. apply adulticide + IGR or borate powder to infested carpets, furniture, etc.

Question 30

what are environmental control for fleas outdoors?

Answer 30

trim trees, shrubs & grass, remove debris in shaded microhabitats apply insecticides or Steinernema carpocapsae collect/destroy infested animal bedding, poultry litter, etc.

Question 31

what are environmental control for fleas indoors and outdoors?

Answer 31

elevate animal cages

Question 32

what can heavy infestations of flea on poultry cause?

Answer 32

irritation, restlessness, anemia, weight loss, decreased reproductive/laying performance, death

Question 33

what are the fleas of poultry? (scientific name and layman name)

Answer 33

Echidnophaga gallinacea - sticktight flea Ceratophyllus niger - western chick flea, black hen flea Ceratophyllus gallinae - european chicken flea

Question 34

where are sticktight fleas found?

Answer 34

new world tropics/subtropics southeastern US

Question 35

where do Echidnophaga gallinacea prefer to be on poultry?

Answer 35

nonfreather skin on head, comb, wattles, and vent

Question 36

what can bites from the sticktight flea near the eye cause?

Answer 36

lesions that result in blindness

Question 37

how are Echidnophaga gallinacea removed?

Answer 37

physical removal, topical pyethrin

Question 38

what other animals can sticktight fleas infect?

Answer 38

wild birds, dogs, cats, other mammals

Question 39

what type of fleas are Ceratophyllus spp.?

Answer 39

nidicolous

Question 40

what is another name for Ceratophyllus niger flea?

Answer 40

western chicken flea and black hen flea

Question 41

where is Ceratophyllus niger found?

Answer 41

western NA

Question 42

what is another name for Ceratophyllus gallinae?

Answer 42

european chicken flea

Question 43

where is Ceratophyllus gallinae found?

Answer 43

worldwlide - in NA primarily N US

Question 44

what Ceratophyllus fleas infest/bite humans?

Answer 44

C. niger and C. gallinae

Question 45

where are most fleas that are found on cats and dogs located?

Answer 45

thoughtout coat especially tail,head, neck, and flanks

Question 46

what can fleas in cats and dogs cause?

Answer 46

**flea allergy dermatitis**

Question 47

what is PC and GC in this image?

Answer 47

PC - pronotal combs GC - genal combs

Question 48

Do the Ctenocephalides spp. have **geneal and pronotal combs** present?

Answer 48

yes

Question 49

what is Ctenocephalides spp. important for the the transmission of?

Answer 49

**bubonic plague, tape worm Dipylidium caninum**

Question 50

what species is Ctenocephalides felis found on?

Answer 50

on cats

Question 51

what is Ctenocephalides felis important for the transmission of?

Answer 51

**bubonic plague, tapeworm Dipylidium caninum**

Question 52

what species is Ctenocephalides canis found on?

Answer 52

dogs

Question 53

what type of fleas are Pulex spp.

Answer 53

nidicolous

Question 54

what is Pulex spp. fleas a vector for?

Answer 54

bubonic plague

Question 55

which Pulex spp. flea is the human flea?

Answer 55

P. irritans

Question 56

what two Pulex spp. fleas can be found on cats and dogs?

Answer 56

P. irritans P. simulans

Question 57

where are the two Pulex spp. fleas that infect cats and dogs found?

Answer 57

P. irritans - worldwide, uncommon in NA P. simulans - new world

Question 58

what is a flea of small mammals that is found in rabbits, rodents, ferrets, etc.?

Answer 58

Ctenocephalides felis

Question 59

how are Ctenocephalides felis mostly acquired by small mammals?

Answer 59

acquired from infested dogs/cats

Question 60

what is a flea that infests goats, sheep, cattle, equids?

Answer 60

Ctenocephalides felis

Question 61

what are fleas that infests swine, goat, sheep, cattle, equids?

Answer 61

Pulex spp. Echidnophaga gallinacea Tunga spp.

Question 62

what flea of ungulates is this?

Answer 62

Tunga spp.