Echidnophaga gallinacea

Also known as: Sticktight flea — Hen flea

Echidnophaga gallinacea
Class	Insecta
Order	Siphonaptera
Family	Pulicidae
Species	Echidnophaga gallinacea

Hosts

Poultry

Identification

E. gallinacea are of the family Pulicidae, and have no genal or pronotal ctenida. It is a small burrowing flea, at around 2mm in length.

See general flea structure.

Life Cycle

The adults are present on the surface of the host, where they feed. They then begin to migrate through the skin, where they copulate. The female soon begins to lay eggs, and ulcers are formed under the skin. As the animal moves, the eggs are released, and fall onto the ground. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which mature, typically feeding upon the chicken manure. The larvae then undergo pupation, and later become adults.

See general flea life cycle.

Literature Search

Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).


Echidnophaga gallinacea publications