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Spilopsyllus cuniculi (view source)

Revision as of 18:43, 17 July 2010

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*Commonly called the '~~rabbit flea~~'

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==''Spilopsyllus cuniculi''==

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*Both genal and ~~pronotal combs present~~

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==Hosts==

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Rabit, hare, dog and cat.

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*Genal comb obviously oblique

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==Identification==

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''S. cuniculi'' has 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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==Life Cycle==

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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.

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Adults spend most of their time off the host, taking only occasional blood feeds.

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*Behaviour synchronised with the reproductive cycle of the rabbit

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**Adults spend most of their time off the host taking occasional blood feeds

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**Shortly before the doe gives birth the adult fleas attach to the ears of the rabbit and feed producing lots of faeces

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**After parturition the adult fleas move onto the kittens where they feed, mate and lay eggs

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**The new adult fleas emerge from the pupa before the kittens leave the nest

[[Category:Rabbit]]

[[Category:Fleas]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]

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