L8: Flea Infestation

Question 1

what are Siphonaptera

Answer 1

fleas

Question 2

in general, fleas are _____ host specific

Answer 2

not very
* most fleas have preferred hosts but will feed from other host speices

Question 3

physical characteristics of fleas (Siphonaptera)

Answer 3

• reddish brown - black
• enlarged hing legs for jumping
• piercing/sucking mouthparts for hematophagy

Question 4

fleas are obligate ectoparasites of _______ & _______

Answer 4

mammals and birds

Question 5

where are flea eggs laid

Answer 5

in the host’s nest or resting site
if laid ON host, the eggs will fall off

Question 6

what type of lifecycle do fleas have

Answer 6

holometabolous (complete) metamorphosis

Question 7

describe the flea lifecycle

Answer 7

• usually 3 larval instars
• larvae feed on adult flea feces and organic debris
• pupae are in cocoons
• typically takes 2-4 weeks to complete a generation
• fleas are able to survive long periods without food

Question 8

how does flea transmission occur

Answer 8

contact w/ infected hosts, infested sleeping quarters, kennels, nests, dens, etc

Question 9

4 types of flea attachment

Answer 9

• those that live in the host’s nest/burrow and visit host only to feed nidicolous fleas
• those that primarily in ON the hosts body
• in sticktight fleas mated females use their mouthparts to permanently attach to the host
• in the chigoe fleas mates females embed within the host’s skin

Question 10

how do nidicolous fleas attach to their host

Answer 10

live in host’s nest/burrow
they only visit the host to feed

Question 11

how do sticktight fleas attach to their host

Answer 11

mated females use their mouthparts to permanently attach to the host

Question 12

how do chigoe fleas attach to their host

Answer 12

mated females attach to their host by embedding within the skin

Question 13

mild to moderate fleas infestations (in dogs/cats) can result in…

Answer 13

• pruritis, restlessness and disruption of normal beahviors
• Flea allergy dermatitis

Question 14

severe flea infestations can result in…

Answer 14

severe pruritis, alopecia, anemia, loss of condition, decreased production and death (in young animals)

Question 15

some flea species are vectors of what important virus

Answer 15

Yersinia pestis the causative agent of buobonic plague

Question 16

some flea species are intermediate hosts of _________ and _________

Answer 16

tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) and parasitic nematodes

Question 17

diagnosing flea infestations

Answer 17

adults on host or adults/ larvae from bedding debris
flea feces:* place on wet paper towel, look for red spots*

Question 18

explain a comprehensive flea control program

Answer 18

• eliminate fleas on hosts
• eliminate existing environmental infestations
• prevent subsequent re infestation

Question 19

how to treat host with flea infestation

Answer 19

• Adulticides
• insect growth regulators

Question 20

indoor flea control

Answer 20

• vacuum infested areas
• wash pet bedding/rugs/etc
• apply adulticied and Insect growth regulators or borate powder to infested carpets/furniture

Question 21

outdoor flea control

Answer 21

• trim trees, shrubs, grass, remove debris
• in shaded microhabitats apply insecticides or Steinernema carpocapsae
• collect/destroy infested animal bedding
• elevate animal cages

Question 22

T/F: poultry fleas are relatively insignificant disease vectors

Answer 22

T

Question 23

heavy flea infestations in chickens can lead to..

Answer 23

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

Question 24

• flea of chickens that attach on nonfeathered areas like skin ob head, comb, wattles and vent
• they bite near the eyes and cause lesions that result in blindness

Answer 24

Echidnophaga gallinacea (Sticktight flea)

Question 25

nidicolous species of chicken fleas

Answer 25

Ceratophyllus spp
* C. niger & C. gallinae

Question 26

where are most flea species found on dogs/cats

Answer 26

throughout the coat, especially on tailhead, neck and flanks

Question 27

fleas are vectors of _____, intermediate hosts of some ______ and can cause ________ allergy dermatitis

Answer 27

mircobes
helminths
flea allergy dermatitis

Question 28

most common flea of dogs and cats and infests many other mammals

Answer 28

Ctenocephalides felis cat flea
Ctenocephalides canis dog flea

Question 29

what is C. felis an important transmitter of?

Answer 29

• bubonic plague (Yersinius pestis)
• tapeworm Dipylidium caninum

Question 30

common flea species of dogs and cats

Answer 30

• Echidnophaga gallinacea (sticktight flea)
• Ctenocephalides (C.felis and C.canis)
• Pulex species (C. irritans, C.somulans)

Question 31

what animals do Ctenocephalides felis infest

Answer 31

*cats, dogs
* Domestic rabbits, rodents, ferrets, etc
* ungulates

Question 32

flea species that can cause lesions of the limbs of hosts that affect gait and lesions on teats that cause aglacia and mastitis

Answer 32

Tunga species (chigoes)

Question 33

nidicolous species of fleas in dogs/cats (2)

Answer 33

Pulex spp. = P.irritans & P.simulans

P.irritans called human flea but found in almost all mammals

Question 34

what flea species infests domestic rabbits, rodents, ferrets, etc

Answer 34

Ctenoephalides felis
* usually acquired from infested dogs/cats

Question 35

flea species that infest ungulates

Answer 35

• Ctenocephalides felis
• Pulex spp. (esp P.irritans)
• Echinophaga gallinacea
• Tunga spp.