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| + | *Commonly called the 'rabbit flea' |
| − | Also known as: '''''Rabbit Flea — European Rabbit Flea
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| − | {{Taxobox
| + | *Both genal and pronotal combs present |
| − | |name = ''Spilopsyllus cuniculi
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| − | |kingdom =
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| − | |phylum =
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| − | |class = [[Insecta]]
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| − | |sub-class =
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| − | |order = [[Siphonaptera]]
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| − | |super-family =
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| − | |family = Pulcidae
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| − | |sub-family =
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| − | |genus =
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| − | |species = ''Spilopsyllus cuniculi
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Hosts==
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| − | Rabit, hare, dog and cat.
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| − | ==Identification==
| + | *Genal comb obviously oblique |
| − | ''S. cuniculi'' are of the order ''[[Siphonaptera]]''. They have both pronotal and genal ctenidia; the later of which have four to six oblique spines. Adults are dark brown. The females are around 1mm, with the males being slightly smaller.
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| − | See [[Flea Structure|general flea structure]].
| + | *Behaviour synchronised with the reproductive cycle of the rabbit |
| − | | + | **Adults spend most of their time off the host taking occasional blood feeds |
| − | ==Life Cycle==
| + | **Shortly before the doe gives birth the adult fleas attach to the ears of the rabbit and feed producing lots of faeces |
| − | This parasite occurs on the ears of the host. These eggs moult into larvae. The larvae take around 30 days to mature. ''S. cuniculi'' becomes an increasing problem during the breeding season.
| + | **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[[Category:Parasites]][[Category:Rabbit]] |
| − | Adults spend most of their time off the host, taking only occasional blood feeds. | |
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| − | See [[Flea Life Cycle|general flea life cycle]].
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| − | ==European Rabbit Flea (''S. cuniculi'')==
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | {{Learning
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| − | |flashcards = [[Fleas_Flashcards|Flea Flashcards]]
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| − | |literature search = [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]
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| − | |Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/search?s=flea Fleas]
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| − | {{review}}
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| − | {{OpenPages}}
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| − | [[Category:Rabbit Parasites]] | |
| | [[Category:Fleas]] | | [[Category:Fleas]] |
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| − | [[Category:Expert_Review]]
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