Human Flea

Natural Habitat

Dwellings, livestock enclosures, and the nests or dens of host mammals

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous; feeds on the blood of mammals (especially humans and pigs) and occasionally birds

Behavior Patterns

Wingless, saltatorial (jumping) insects that seek hosts through heat and carbon dioxide detection. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin irritation (flea-bite dermatitis), allergic reactions, and the potential transmission of pathogens such as Yersinia pestis (plague) or Rickettsia felis. They provide no significant ecological benefits in human environments.

Identified on: 1/11/2026