Flea Larva (Desiccated/Dried)

Scientific Name: Ctenocephalides felis (most likely) or Ctenocephalides canis

Order & Family: Order: Siphonaptera, Family: Pulicidae

Size: Typically 1.5 to 5.0 mm long (about 1/16 to 3/16 inch).

Flea Larva (Desiccated/Dried)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in carpets, pet bedding, floor cracks, and upholstery; outdoors in shaded, moist soil where host animals frequent.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on organic debris, particularly 'flea dirt' (dried blood excreted by adult fleas), skin flakes, and hair.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are photophobic (avoid light), burrowing deep into carpet fibers or bedding; they pupate in silken cocoons before emerging as adults.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Develops into parasitic adults that bite humans and pets, causing itching, dermatitis, and potentially transmitting diseases like typhus or dispersing tapeworms. No ecological benefits in a domestic setting.

Identified on: 2/20/2026