Flea
Siphonaptera (order)
- Order & Family
- Order: Siphonaptera; Family: Pulicidae (most common household species)
- Size
- 1.5 mm to 3.3 mm (about 1/16 to 1/8 inch) long.
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide, typically residing on the bodies of warm-blooded hosts (mammals and birds) or in the host's bedding, carpets, and floor cracks.
Diet & Feeding
Adults are hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of mammals or birds. Larvae typically feed on organic debris and adult flea feces (flea dirt).
Behavior Patterns
Fleas are wingless, laterally flattened insects capable of jumping long distances. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and can remain dormant in the pupal stage for months until vibration or heat indicates a host is nearby.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include localized skin irritation, allergic dermatitis, and the transmission of diseases such as murine typhus and plague, as well as tapeworm larvae. They offer no significant benefits to human ecosystems and are considered major domestic pests.