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Fleas are wingless insects that are laterally flattened so can move rapidly through hair and fur. Their hind legs are adapted for jumping. They are of major significance to veterinary practice and are seen on a daily basis at most general practices.
Fleas are wingless insects that are laterally flattened so can move rapidly through hair and fur. Their hind legs are adapted for jumping. They are of major significance to veterinary practice and are seen on a daily basis at most general practices.
Adult fleas are blood sucking ectoparasites which can cause pruritis, annoyance and anaemia if present in large numbers. [[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Flea bite hypersensitivity|Flea allergic dermatitis]] can also occur where the animal becomes allergic to the antigens in the flea saliva triggering a hypersensitivity reaction when the flea bites.
Adult fleas are blood sucking ectoparasites which can cause pruritis, annoyance, loss of condition and anaemia if present in large numbers. [[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Flea bite hypersensitivity|Flea allergic dermatitis]] can also occur where the animal becomes allergic to the antigens in the flea saliva triggering a hypersensitivity reaction when the flea bites.
Fleas can also act as intermediate hosts for the tapeworm [[Dipylidium|''Dipylidium'']] and as an important vector for diseases such as cat scratch disease, the bubonic plague and [[Myxomatosis|myxomatosis]].
Fleas can also act as intermediate hosts for the tapeworm [[Dipylidium|''Dipylidium'']] and as an important vector for diseases such as cat scratch disease, the bubonic plague and [[Myxomatosis|myxomatosis]].
[[Image:Cat flea.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Cat Flea - Andy Brookes BS - Wikimedia Commons]]
[[Image:Cat flea.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Cat Flea - Andy Brookes BS - Wikimedia Commons]]
*Most common flea on both cats and dogs
*Most common flea on both cats and dogs
*Most important flea in veterinary medicine
*Most important flea in veterinary medicine
*Commonly called the 'cat flea'
*Commonly called the 'cat flea'
*Can bite humans and other animals
*Can bite humans and other animals
*Both genal and pronotal commbs present
*Both genal and pronotal commbs present
*Similar length genal combs
*Similar length genal combs
*Sloping nose
*Sloping nose
===''Ctenocephalides canis''===
===''Ctenocephalides canis''===
*Not very common
*Less common
*Commonly called the 'dog flea'
*Commonly called the 'dog flea'
*No combs
*No combs
*Head rounded anteiorly
*Head rounded anteriorly
===''Spilopsyllus cuniculi''===
===''Spilopsyllus cuniculi''===
*Behaviour synchronised with the reproductive cycle of the rabbit
*Behaviour synchronised with the reproductive cycle of the rabbit
**Adults spend most of their time off the host taking occasional blood feeds
**Adults spend most of their time off the host taking occasional blood feeds
**Shortly before the doe gives birth the adult fleas attach to the ears of the rabbit and feed producing a lot of faeces
**Shortly before the doe gives birth the adult fleas attach to the ears of the rabbit and feed producing lots of faeces
**After parturition the adult fleas move onto the kittens where they feed, mate and lay eggs
**After parturition the adult fleas move onto the kittens where they feed, mate and lay eggs
**The new adult fleas emerge from the pupa before the kittens leave the nest
**The new adult fleas emerge from the pupa before the kittens leave the nest
*''Nosopsyllus fasciatus''
*''Nosopsyllus fasciatus''
**Rodents
**Affects rodents
**18-20 spines in pronotal ctenidium
**18-20 spines in pronotal ctenidium
*''Echisnophaga gallinacea''
*''Echisnophaga gallinacea''
**Poultry
**Affects poultry
**Frons (forehead) angled anteriorly
**Frons (forehead) angled anteriorly
**Also called the 'sticktight' flea
**Also called the 'sticktight' flea
*''Archaeopsylla erinacei''
*''Archaeopsylla erinacei''
**Hedgehogs
**Affects hedgehogs
**1-3 short spines on genal ctendium
**1-3 short spines on genal ctendium
**1 short spine on pronotal ctenidium
**1 short spine on pronotal ctenidium
==Life-Cycle==
==Life-cycle==
[[Image:Flea larvae.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Flea Larvae - Wikimedia Commons]]
[[Image:Flea larvae.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Flea Larvae - Wikimedia Commons]]
A thorough understanding of the flea life-cycle is important in order to be able to advise owners of adequate treatments to control flea infections on their animals and within the home environment.
*The time for the egg to develop into the adult flea takes 3-4 weeks in summer
*The time for the egg to develop into the adult flea takes '''3-4 weeks''' in summer
*The life cycle can be faster or slower depending on temperature
*Duration of the life cycle is dependent on environmental temperature
'''1. Adults'''
'''1. Adults'''
*Once on host, the flea will usually remain
*Once on host, the flea will usually remain
**With animals in close contact there may be a small degree of transfer between hosts
**With animals in close contact there may be a small degree of transfer between hosts
**The majority of adult fleas are aquired from the environment
**The majority of adult fleas are acquired from the '''environment'''
*The adult flea takes frequent blood meals
*The adult flea takes frequent blood meals
*The life span of the flea is determined by the grooming activity of the host
*The life span of the flea is determined by the grooming activity of the host
**Usually the adult flea lives for between 7 and 10 days
**Usually the adult flea lives for between '''7 and 10 days'''
'''2. Eggs'''
'''2. Eggs'''
*The adult lays eggs 1-2 days after locating a host
*The adult lays eggs 1-2 days after locating a host
*Approximately 15 eggs are layed in the pelage (coat) per day
*Approximately '''15 eggs''' are layed in the coat per day
*Eggs are ivory white and oval, approxiamtely 0.5mm long
*Eggs are ivory white, oval and approxiamtely 0.5mm long
*The eggs drop to the ground within hours
*The eggs drop to the ground within hours
**In reality this usually happens when the animal jumps of the sofa or makes sudden movements. Flea eggs will therefore cluster in these hot spots around the house particularly in places the animal often rests in and this should be considered when control methods are thought about.
**In reality this usually happens when the animal jumps of the sofa or makes sudden movements. Flea eggs will therefore cluster in these '''hot spots''' around the house. These areas should be paid particular attention when treating the environment in the case of a flea infestation.
'''3. Larvae'''
'''3. Larvae'''
*Larvae are yellow/white (look like maggots) and are covered in bristles
*Larvae are yellow/white (look like maggots) and are covered in bristles
*Chitinous mouthparts and anal struts (useful for identification)
*They have chitinous mouthparts and anal struts which can be used for identification
*Larvae are negatively phototropic so try to move away from light sources
*Larvae are negatively phototropic so try to move away from light sources
*Larvae feed on skin debris from other animals, flea dirt and other organic debris
*Larvae feed on skin debris from other animals, flea dirt and other organic debris
*High humidity is needed to survive
*High humidity is needed for survival
*Freezing temperatures will kill larvae
*Freezing temperatures will kill larvae
*The larvae pupate forming pupae of 5mm in length
*The larvae pupate forming pupae of 5mm in length
*Silken cocoon surrounds pupae
*A silken cocoon surrounds the pupae
**Slightly sticky so small particles adhere to it
**Slightly sticky so small particles adhere to it
**Camoflaged in the environment
**These quickly become camouflaged in the environment
*Methoprene, the juvenile development hormone coordinates the growth of the immature stages
*Methoprene, the juvenile development hormone coordinates the growth of the immature stages
**Some fleas may wait several months before emerging
**Some fleas may wait several months before emerging
*Newly emerged unfed adults can survive days without feeding but once they have fed, if they fall of the host they can only survive hours
*Newly emerged unfed adults can survive days without feeding but once they have fed, if they fall off the host they can only survive hours
==Habitats==
==Habitats==
*Only approximately 5% of the flea population will be on the animal at any one time (and usually it is a much smaller percentage)
*Only approximately '''5%''' of the flea population will be on the animal at any one time (and usually it is a much smaller percentage)
*The rest of the population are in the environment
*The rest of the population are in the '''environment'''
**E.g. Eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults
**E.g. Eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults
**Hygiene such as regular vacuuming and washing of the animal's bedding should also occur for the most effective treatment
**Hygiene such as regular vacuuming and washing of the animal's bedding should also occur for the most effective treatment
*For more information on the chemicals used for flea treatment click [[Ectoparasiticides|here]].
*For more information on the chemicals used for flea treatment click [[Ectoparasiticides|here]]
==[[Insecta Flashcards - WikiBugs#Fleas|Fleas Flashcards]]==
==[[Insecta Flashcards - WikiBugs#Fleas|Fleas Flashcards]]==
*[[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Flea bite hypersensitivity|Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD)]]
*[[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Flea bite hypersensitivity|Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD)]]
*Fleas acts as intermediate hosts for '''Dipylidium tapeworms'''
*Fleas act as intermediate hosts for [[Dipylidium|'''''Dipylidium'' tapeworms''']]
*Fleas act as vectors for [[Poxviruses#Myxoma virus|myxomatosis]] in rabbits
*Fleas act as vectors for [[Poxviruses#Myxoma virus|myxomatosis]] in rabbits