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