Spilopsyllus cuniculi

Spilopsyllus cuniculi

Also known as:

Rabbit flea

Scientific Classification

Class	Insecta
Order	Siphonaptera
Family	Pulcidae

Hosts

Rabit, hare, dog and cat.

Identification

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.

Life Cycle

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.

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

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