Fleas Flashcards
Fleas Order
Siphonaptera
Do fleas have wings?
No
Body flattened…
Laterally
Legs…
Well developed, have spines & claws to help with adherement
Cuticle
smooth, helps to prevent dehydration
Flea genus
Ctenocephalides
- comb on head
Eggs are layed..
On the host but fall off into environment
Larva develops in egg
in 2-16 days
Once hatched, larvae feed on..
organic material e.g. flea dirt
Larval development
takes 1-2 weeks, 3 stages (L1, L2, L3)
Pupae form and hatch after…
at least 10 days (1-4 weeks)
Pupae can remain dormant in environment for up to..
12 months
Adult hatches from pupae in presence of
CO2, vibrations & heat
Adults can live up to
6 months on the host
How many eggs can adult fleas produce per day?
Up to 50 eggs/day
What percentage of the flea life cycle is made up of eggs on the host?
50%
What percentage of the flea life cycle is made up of Larvae on the host?
35%
What percentage of the flea life cycle is made up of Pupae on the host?
10%
What percentage of the flea life cycle is made up of Adults on the host?
5%
Pathogenesis
- Irritation
- blood loss (anaemia)
- Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
- Transmission of disease (bubonic plague, flea tapeworms, nematodes)
Signs of infection
- Itching
- Hair loss and self mutilation around hindquarters
- Visible adults or flea dirt
- Anaemia
