Bug Identifier
Cat flea
Community identification

Cat flea

Ctenocephalides felis

Order & Family
Order Siphonaptera, Family Pulicidae
Size
1 to 3 millimeters in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found indoors on pets, in carpets, bedding, and outdoor shaded soil areas.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed exclusively on the blood of mammals and birds.

Behavior Patterns

Wingless insects that rely on powerful hind legs to jump long distances onto hosts.

Risks & Benefits

Bites cause severe itching and allergic dermatitis in pets and humans; they also transmit tapeworms.