Categories | Cockroach | Fleas | Mice | Moths | Termites | Redback Spiders | Other Pests |
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Publish date: 29-11-2009 07:05:54 | Contact Name: Felix | 219 times displayed
Scientific name: Ctenocephalides felis Family: Pulicidae
Order: Siphonaptera
Genus: Ctenocephalides
Species: felis
Appearance
Small legs with back legs enlarged for leaping and jumping. The flea can stand lots of pressure when it jumps. It can jump one foot in the air. They are wingless with a small antennae and piercing and sucking mouth parts. The larvae is small with no legs, short antennae and chewing (mandibulate) mouth parts.
Life cycle
The Cat Flea has a complete metamorphosis (egg ~ larvae ~ pupae ~ adult). Eggs fall into immediate environment, for example carpet – host.
Habitat
Outdoor fleas can survive well under sub-floors/verandas jumping onto cats and dogs to infest pets sleeping areas, carpet around the edges and under unmoved furniture also attaching rats, humans and birds.
Feeding habits
Adult fleas suck blood from cats, dogs, rats, birds and humans. The larvae feed on skin shavings or food scraps on host or in carpet.
Damage & impact
Fleas are carriers of tapeworm infestations and as well as being annoying and unwanted they can create huge populations in the right conditions. The flea can cause disease transmission or just severe irritation to pets and humans.
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