Fleas Flashcards
What is a parasite?
an organism that obtains nourishment and shelter on/in another organism, without usually causing death
What is an ectoparasite?
A parasite that spends some or all of their lives parasitising and usually live on or burrow into the surface of the host’s skin
Describe the anatomy and function of the exoskeleton/cuticle of fleas
Made of chitin
Protection
Site of muscle attachment
Limits respiration
Limits size of each growth stage
Describe the respiratory system of fleas
Spiracles
Filters and oils at end of spiracles protect from dust and repel water
What is hemimetabola?
Type of insecta life cycle
Partial metamorphism
Eggs -> nymphs -> adults
e.g., lice
What ectoparasites come under the insecta class?
Lice
Flies
Fleas
What is holometabola?
Type of insecta lifecycle
Full metamorphism
Eggs -> larvae -> pupae -> adult
e.g., flies, fleas
What ectoparasites fall under the class arachnida?
Ticks, mites
Describe the physical adaptations of fleas
Tube-like mouthparts to grip onto hair
Laterally flattened with hard exoskeleton
Wingless
Backwards pointing spines - can’t be pulled off host
Enlarged hind legs for jumping
How do fleas cause disease?
Through:
irritation
allergy
blood loss/anaemia
spread of infections
What are the most common fleas in the UK?
What is the technical name for fleas?
Siphonaptera
Label these fleas
Label these fleas
Describe the lifecycle of a flea
Eggs
- oval, pearl-like
- hatch in 1.5-6 days (depends of temp)
Larvae
- 3 stages of development (instars)
- negatively phototropic
- positively geotropic
- develop in 5-11 days
Pupae
- ~5mm long
- pupa covered in environmental debris
- 1 week to develop
- can stay in pupa for montha/years until appropriate stimuli detected
Adult
What are the indirect effects of fleas?
Can act as a vector/host to pathogens e.g., myxotosis, bartonella
Can act as intermediate host for dog tapeworm
Explain how fleas are controlled
Adulticides e.g., fipronil
Environmental control e.g., insect growth regulators
Mechanical removal
Describe the ectoparasite ectoskeleton/cuticle
Made of chitin
- Polysaccharide (a bit like cellulose) and protein
Protection
- Crunchy on the outside
Site of muscle attachment
Limits size of each growth stage (further growth only possible through moulting, even in larvae where cuticle is soft)
Describe how fleas act as an intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum (dog tapeworm)
