Flea (possibly flea eggs or debris, cannot definitively identify an adult flea)
Scientific Name: Siphonaptera (order), specific family/genus/species not identifiable from image alone
Order & Family: Order: Siphonaptera, Family: Pulicidae (most common family for fleas affecting mammals)
Size: Adult fleas typically range from 1 to 4 mm in length. Eggs are minute, usually around 0.5 mm.
Natural Habitat
Fleas live on the bodies of warm-blooded animals (e.g., cats, dogs, humans, wildlife) and in their immediate environment (bedding, carpets, furniture).
Diet & Feeding
Adult fleas feed exclusively on the blood of their hosts. Larvae feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces (flea dirt).
Behavior Patterns
Fleas are wingless insects known for their amazing jumping ability. They move between hosts or from the environment to a host. Females lay eggs on the host, which then fall off into the environment. The life cycle includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, which can take weeks to months depending on conditions.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Fleas can cause intense itching, skin irritation, allergies (flea allergy dermatitis), and secondary skin infections in hosts. They can transmit diseases such as tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) and, historically, bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis). Benefits: No notable direct benefits to humans or the ecosystem, primarily considered pests.
Identified on: 10/7/2025