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Also known as: '''''Rabbit Flea — European Rabbit Flea
Also known as: '''''Rabbit flea
{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
See [[Flea Life Cycle|general flea life cycle]].
See [[Flea Life Cycle|general flea life cycle]].
==European Rabbit Flea (''S. cuniculi'')==
The European rabbit flea occurs on rabbit ears. It is more sedentary than most other species of flea and remains for long periods with its mouthparts embedded in the host. Reproduction is under the control of hormones in the blood of the mammalian host. Following mating, the adult female rabbit ovulates and, about 10 days before parturition, the levels of oestrogens and corticosteroids in the blood increase. These hormones stimulate development of the eggs of the female flea. When the young rabbits are born, the fleas move down the face and onto the young rabbits on which they feed, mate and lay their eggs. Copulation of ''S. cuniculi'' only takes place in the presence of young (1-10 days old) rabbits. An airborne kairomone (a substance released by one species that benefits members of another, e.g. parasites, by being a signal or attractant to them) emanating from the new-born rabbits and their urine boosts copulation and reproduction. The hormones of the rabbit also cause adult fleas to increase the rate of defecation by about 5 times. This provides a greater source of food for the newly hatched larvae. Adult female fleas on bucks and non pregnant does are more mobile and will move to pregnant does if able.
The rabbit flea is the main vector of [[Myxomatosis|myxomatosis]] in rabbits. It may commonly be found near the edges of the ear of dogs and cats which frequent rabbit habitats.
==Test yourself with the Flea Flashcards==
==Test yourself with the Flea Flashcards==
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=%22Spilopsyllus+cuniculi%22&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=43&y=8&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all ''Spilopsyllus cuniculi'' publications]
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=%22Spilopsyllus+cuniculi%22&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=43&y=8&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all ''Spilopsyllus cuniculi'' publications]
{{review}}
[[Category:Rabbit Parasites]]
[[Category:Rabbit Parasites]]
[[Category:Fleas]]
[[Category:Fleas]]