Community identification
Cat Flea
Ctenocephalides felis
- Order & Family
- Siphonaptera: Pulicidae
- Size
- 1.5 - 3.3 mm
Natural Habitat
Domestic environments, specifically on mammals and in their bedding/resting areas
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; adults feed on the blood of hosts, larvae feed on organic debris and flea dirt
Behavior Patterns
Excellent jumpers that use powerful hind legs to find hosts; they are primarily nocturnal and undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult)
Risks & Benefits
Risks include skin irritation, allergic dermatitis, and transmission of parasites like tapeworms or bacteria; no significant ecosystem benefits in a domestic setting