Flea

Natural Habitat

Fleas live on warm-blooded animals such as cats, dogs, humans, and wildlife. Their eggs, larvae, and pupae are found in the environment, particularly in bedding, carpets, cracks in floors, and shaded outdoor areas where hosts rest. They thrive in warm, humid conditions.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas are obligate hematophagous parasites, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of their hosts (mammals and birds). Larvae feed on organic detritus, including adult flea fecal matter, which contains dried blood.

Behavior Patterns

Flea eggs are laid on the host animal but fall off into the environment. Larvae hatch and feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces. Pupae develop in cocoons, often in carpets or bedding. Adults emerge from cocoons, typically in response to vibration or warmth, and jump onto a host to feed.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis in pets), and transmission of diseases. Fleas can transmit tapeworms (e.g., Dipylidium caninum) and are known vectors for serious diseases like murine typhus and, historically, the bubonic plague (via oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis). There are no direct benefits to humans, but in ecosystems, they serve as a food source for some predators and contribute to decomposition by their larval feeding.

Identified on: 9/4/2025