Spilopsyllus cuniculi

• Commonly called the 'rabbit flea'

• Both genal and pronotal combs present

• Genal comb obviously oblique

• Behaviour synchronised with the reproductive cycle of the rabbit
  • 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 lots of faeces
  • 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