Flea Quiz

WIKIQUIZ

Questions reviewed by:

Mark T. Fox, BVetMed, PhD, FHEA, DipEVPC, MRCVS Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Parasitology Anette Loeffler DrMedVet, DVD, DipECVD, MRCVS Lecturer in Veterinary Dermatology

1

What is the minimum length of the flea life cycle in summer? 1 year 3-4 weeks 100 - 140 days 6-7 days 1-2 weeks Please select an option Incorrect. During unfavourable conditions the full life cycle of the flea can take up to a year as all stages of the life cycle are dependent on the environmental conditions. However summer usually provides the optimum conditions for flea development, and the correct answer is that the minimum length of the full life cycle, from egg to flea in summer is 3-4 weeks. From a control aspect, this makes it particularly important to treat pets monthly with insecticides, and to use a strategic treatment plan to ensure that all the life cycle stages of the flea are eliminated from the pet and the environment.WikiVet Article: Fleas Correct! The favourable climatic conditions in summer enable the flea to complete its whole life cycle in 3-4 weeks. From a control aspect, this makes it particularly important to treat pets monthly with insecticides, and to use a strategic treatment plan to ensure that all the life cycle stages of the flea are eliminated from the pet and the environment.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Developing adults can remain in the pupal stage for up to 140 days. The pupa is very resistant to desiccation and as such is an important environmental reservoir. The optimal conditions of 28 degrees centigrade and 80% humidity are more likely in summer, thus the usual time from pupation to emergence of an adult in summer is 6-7 days. The correct answer is that the minimum length of the full life cycle, from egg to flea in summer is 3-4 weeks. From a control aspect, this makes it particularly important to treat pets monthly with insecticides, and to use a strategic treatment plan to ensure that all the life cycle stages of the flea are eliminated from the pet and the environment.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. The time from pupation to emergence of an adult flea usually takes around 6-7 days in summer, although in less favourable climatic conditions, this 'pupal window' may last up to 140 days.However, the minimum length of the full life cycle, from egg to flea in summer is 3-4 weeks. From a control aspect, this makes it particularly important to treat pets monthly with insecticides, and to use a strategic treatment plan to ensure that all the life cycle stages of the flea are eliminated from the pet and the environment.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Fleas may complete their two larval moults in 1-2 weeks in summer, as this is a temperature dependent stage of the life cycle. However, the minimum length of the full life cycle, from egg to flea in summer is 3-4 weeks.From a control aspect, this makes it particularly important to treat pets monthly with insecticides, and to use a strategic treatment plan to ensure that all the life cycle stages of the flea are eliminated from the pet and the environment. WikiVet Article: Fleas

2

Pronotal spines are located on what part of the flea? Cheek Wings Thorax Legs Abdomen Please select an option Incorrect. Spines on the cheek are called genal spines. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.The correct answer is that pronotal spines are located on the thorax. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Fleas do NOT have wings even though they are classed as insects. The correct answer is that pronotal spines are located on the thorax. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.The correct answer is that pronotal spines are located on the thorax.WikiVet Article: Fleas Correct. Spines on the first thoracic segment are called pronotal spines or combs. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Legs of fleas do have spines, which can be single or paired. The location and pattern of leg spines can also be used for idenitification. The correct answer is that pronotal spines are located on the thorax. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. The correct answer is that pronotal spines are located on the thorax. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.The correct answer is that pronotal spines are located on the thorax.WikiVet Article: Fleas

3

How long do fleas take to develop from egg to adult in summer? 3-4 weeks 4-6 weeks 1- 2 weeks 2-3 weeks 6-12 weeks Please select an option Correct! The time for the egg to develop into the adult flea through the process of complex metamorphosis is 3-4 weeks in summer.The duration of the life cycle is dependent on environmental temperature and can take up to a year, as developing fleas can remain dormant as pupae for up to 6 months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. It takes 3-4 weeks in summer for the egg to undergo complex metamorphosis and develop into an adult flea. The duration of the life cycle is dependent on environmental temperature and can take up to a year, as developing fleas can remain dormant as pupae for up to 6 months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. This is the average life span of an adult flea, and also the time in which a flea can undergo two larval moults in optimum conditions. It takes 3-4 weeks in summer for the egg to undergo complex metamorphosis and develop into an adult flea. The duration of the life cycle is dependent on environmental temperature and can take up to a year, as developing fleas can remain dormant as pupae for up to 6 months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. It takes 3-4 weeks in summer for the egg to undergo complex metamorphosis and develop into an adult flea. The duration of the life cycle is dependent on environmental temperature and can take up to a year, as developing fleas can remain dormant as pupae for up to 6 months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. It takes 3-4 weeks in summer for the egg to undergo complex metamorphosis and develop into an adult flea. The duration of the life cycle is dependent on environmental temperature and can take up to a year, as developing fleas can remain dormant as pupae for up to 6 months. WikiVet Article: Fleas

4

Fleas act as the intermediate host for which species of cestode? Taenia saginata Dipylidium caninum Anoplocephala perfoliata Echinococcus granulosus Taenia multiceps Please select an option Incorrect. The intermediate host of Taenia saginata is the cow. Fleas act as the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum. The flea larvae ingest the egg segment of D. caninum and the cystercercoid develops in the body of the larval and adult flea. The adult flea is then accidentaly ingested by the animal host when grooming and D. caninum infects the animal. Presence of D. caninum is a good indicator that the animal has fleas. WikiVet Article: Dipylidium caninum, Fleas, Taenia saginata Correct. Fleas act as the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum. The flea larvae ingest the egg segment of D. caninum and the cystercercoid develops in the body of the larval and adult flea. The adult flea is then accidentaly ingested by the animal host when grooming and D. caninum infects the animal. Presence of D. caninum is a good indicator that the animal has fleas. WikiVet Article: Dipylidium caninum, Fleas Incorrect.The intermediate host of Anoplocephala perfoliata is a free living mite.Fleas act as the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum. The flea larvae ingest the egg segment of D. caninum and the cystercercoid develops in the body of the larval and adult flea. The adult flea is then accidentaly ingested by the animal host when grooming and D. caninum infects the animal. Presence of D. caninum is a good indicator that the animal has fleas. WikiVet Article: Dipylidium caninum, Fleas, Anoplocephala perfoliata Incorrect. Echinococcus granulosus has many intermediate hosts including sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and man but not the flea. Fleas act as the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum. The flea larvae ingest the egg segment of D. caninum and the cystercercoid develops in the body of the larval and adult flea. The adult flea is then accidentaly ingested by the animal host when grooming and D. caninum infects the animal. Presence of D. caninum is a good indicator that the animal has fleas. WikiVet Article: Dipylidium caninum, Fleas, Echinococcus granulosus Incorrect. Taenia multiceps has many intermediate hosts including sheep, goats, cattle and rarely man, pigs and horses.Fleas act as the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum. The flea larvae ingest the egg segment of D. caninum and the cystercercoid develops in the body of the larval and adult flea. The adult flea is then accidentaly ingested by the animal host when grooming and D. caninum infects the animal. Presence of D. caninum is a good indicator that the animal has fleas. WikiVet Article: Dipylidium caninum, Fleas, Taenia multiceps

5

What is the most common flea on cats and dogs? Pulex irritans Spilopsyllus cuniculi Archaeopsylla erinacei Ctenocephalides canis Ctenocephalides felis Please select an option Incorrect. Pulex irritans is often called the 'human flea' but is not often found on cats and dogs. C. felis is the most common flea to infect cats and dogs (often called the 'cat flea' ) and thus is very important to the veterinary profession. Pulex irritans has no combs and is therefore easy to distinguish from cat and dog fleas which have both genal and pronotal combs.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Spilopsyllus cuniculi is often called the 'rabbit flea'.It does bite cats and dogs but is not common. C. felis is the most common flea to infect cats and dogs (often called the 'cat flea' ) and thus is very important to the veterinary profession. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Archaeopsylla erinacei is the 'hedgehog flea'.It does bite cats and dogs but is not common.C. felis is the most common flea to infect cats and dogs (often called the 'cat flea' ) and thus is very important to the veterinary profession. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. C. canis commonly called the dog flea is not the most common. It is C. felis that is the most common (often called the 'cat flea' ) and thus is very important to the veterinary profession. It can be differentiated from Ctenocephalides canis by the genal spines. In C. felis the first genal spine is the same length as the second. In C. canis the first genal spine is 1/2 the length of the second. WikiVet Article: Fleas Correct! Commonly called the 'cat flea' this is the most common flea to infect cats and dogs and thus is very important to the veterinary profession. It can be differentiated from Ctenocephalides canis by the genal spines. In C. felis the first genal spine is the same length as the second. In C. canis the first genal spine is 1/2 the length of the second. WikiVet Article: Fleas

6

What climatic conditions are needed for optimum flea larvae survival? A cold period followed by warm temperatures Freezing temperatures Hot, dry weather Cold but dry weather High humidity and temperature Please select an option Incorrect. High humidity and temperature is needed for optimum survival of flea larvae which is why they do so well in houses with central heating. Optimum conditions are temperatures between 21-30 degrees centigrade and a relative humidity of 70%. Larvae (in contrast to pupae) are susceptible to dessication, thus a relative humidity of < 33% is lethal. Freezing temperatures will also kill larvae. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Freezing temperatures will kill larvae. High humidity and temperature is needed for optimum survival of flea larvae which is why they do so well in houses with central heating. Optimum conditions are temperatures between 21-30 degrees centigrade and a relative humidity of 70%. Larvae (in contrast to pupae) are susceptible to dessication, thus a relative humidity of < 33% is lethal.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. High humidity as well as temperature is needed for optimum survival of flea larvae, which is why they do so well in houses with central heating. Optimum conditions are temperatures between 21-30 degrees centigrade and a relative humidity of 70%. Larvae (in contrast to pupae) are susceptible to dessication, thus a relative humidity of < 33% is lethal. Freezing temperatures will also kill larvae. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. High humidity as well as temperature is needed for optimum survival of flea larvae, which is why they do so well in houses with central heating. Optimum conditions are temperatures between 21-30 degrees centigrade and a relative humidity of 70%. Larvae (in contrast to pupae) are susceptible to dessication, thus a relative humidity of < 33% is lethal. Freezing temperatures will also kill larvae. WikiVet Article: Fleas Correct! High humidity and temperature is needed for optimum survival of flea larvae which is why they do so well in houses with central heating. Optimum conditions are temperatures between 21-30 degrees centigrade and a relative humidity of 70%. Larvae (in contrast to pupae) are susceptible to dessication, thus a relative humidity of < 33% is lethal. Freezing temperatures will also kill larvae. WikiVet Article: Fleas

7

In flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) to what do animals become allergic to? Flea contact Antigens in flea dirt Antigens in flea saliva Flea eggs Flea larvae Please select an option Incorrect. Animals become allergic to the antigens in the flea saliva not flea contact. The antigens trigger a hypersensitivity reaction when the flea bites. FAD leads to papular dermatitis, secondary excoriations and alopecic nodules (uncommon) if chronic. WikiVet Article: Flea, Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) Incorrect. Animals become allergic to the antigens in the flea saliva not flea dirt triggering a hypersensitivity reaction when the flea bites. FAD leads to papular dermatitis, secondary excoriations and alopecic nodules (uncommon) if chronic. WikiVet Article: Flea, Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) Correct! Animals become allergic to the antigens in the flea saliva triggering a hypersensitivity reaction when the flea bites. FAD leads to papular dermatitis, secondary excoriations and alopecic nodules (uncommon) if chronic. WikiVet Article: Flea, Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) Incorrect. Animals become allergic to the antigens in the flea saliva not the flea eggs. Most eggs are laid on the host but quickly fall off into the environment. The antigens trigger a hypersensitivity reaction when the flea bites. FAD leads to papular dermatitis, secondary excoriations and alopecic nodules (uncommon) if chronic. WikiVet Article: Flea, Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) Incorrect. Animals become allergic to the antigens in the flea saliva not the flea larvae. Flea larvae feed on skin debris, flea dirt and other organic matter. The antigens in flea saliva trigger a hypersensitivity reaction when the flea bites. FAD leads to papular dermatitis, secondary excoriations and alopecic nodules (uncommon) if chronic. WikiVet Article: Flea, Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD)

8

Where, on the host or in the environment, are you likely to find the majority of flea developmental stages? In soil In the faeces of the host Animal's environment On the infested animal In water sources Please select an option Incorrect. Fleas are not found in the soil as they are dependent on a living host for the majority of the time (except when in the pupal stage). Although adult fleas feed and lay eggs on the host, eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults may be found where the animal rests and represent 95% of the total population - those found on the host represent just the tip of the iceberg!WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Fleas are ectoparasites and do not enter the host and so are not found in the faeces. Although adult fleas feed and lay eggs on the host, eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults may be found where the animal rests and represent 95% of the total population - those found on the host represent just the tip of the iceberg!WikiVet Article: Fleas Correct! Although adult fleas feed and lay eggs on the host, eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults may be found where the animal rests and represent 95% of the total population - those found on the host represent just the tip of the iceberg!WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Although adult fleas feed and lay eggs on the host, eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults may be found where the animal rests and represent 95% of the total population - those found on the host represent just the tip of the iceberg!WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Fleas are not found in water. Although adult fleas feed and lay eggs on the host, eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults may be found where the animal rests and represent 95% of the total population - those found on the host represent just the tip of the iceberg!WikiVet Article: Fleas

9

Once on a host, how long on average does it take before a flea starts to feed? 5-20 minutes Under 5 minutes 1 1/2 to 2 hours 2 hours 1 hour Please select an option Incorrect. 25% of fleas will start to feed within 5-20 minutes of finding a host but the majority take about an hour. After feeding it only takes 24-36hrs to start producing eggs hence the rapid multiplication of fleas in the summer months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Though a small minority of fleas will start feeding within 5 minutes of finding a host the average is one hour. After feeding it only takes 24-36hrs to start producing eggs hence the rapid multiplication of fleas in the summer months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. 97% of fleas will take a blood meal within one hour of finding a host. After feeding it only takes 24-36hrs to start producing eggs hence the rapid multiplication of fleas in the summer months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. 97% of fleas will take a blood meal within one hour of finding a host. After feeding it only takes 24-36hrs to start producing eggs hence the rapid multiplication of fleas in the summer months. WikiVet Article: Fleas Correct! 97% of fleas will take a blood meal within one hour of finding a host. After feeding it only takes 24-36hrs to start producing eggs hence the rapid multiplication of fleas in the summer months. WikiVet Article: Fleas

10

Genal spines are located on what part of the flea? Abdomen Legs Thorax Cheek Wings Please select an option Incorrect. Spines are not located on the abdomen. Genal spines are located on the cheek of fleas. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Genal spines are located on the cheek of fleas. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.Legs of fleas do have spines, which can be single or paired. The location and pattern of leg spines can also be used for identification. WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Pronotal spines are located on the flea's first thoracic segment. Genal spines are located on the cheek of fleas. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species. WikiVet Article: Fleas Correct! Genal spines are located on the cheek of fleas. The presence or absence, shape and size of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.WikiVet Article: Fleas Incorrect. Fleas do NOT have wings even though they are classed as insects. Genal spines are located on the cheek of fleas. The presence or absence, shape and size location of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species.WikiVet Article: Fleas