Flea (Flea Bite)
Scientific Name: Though the image shows a bite, indicating a flea, a specific species cannot be identified from the bite alone. Common species include Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) and Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea).
Order & Family: Order Siphonaptera (contains various families, including Pulicidae, the most common family for pest fleas)
Size: Adult fleas typically range from 1.5 mm to 3.3 mm (about 0.06 to 0.13 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Fleas can be found globally in various environments where their hosts reside. They are commonly found in carpets, bedding, upholstered furniture, and cracks in floors, as well as outdoors in grassy or sandy areas. They also live directly on their hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Adult fleas are obligate hematophagous parasites, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of their warm-blooded hosts (mammals and birds).
Behavior Patterns
Fleas are wingless and renowned for their jumping ability, which allows them to move between hosts. They reproduce rapidly, with females laying eggs after a blood meal. Larvae feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces, before pupating. Adult fleas emerge from pupae when vibrations or warmth indicate a suitable host is present. They typically live on their host, feeding periodically.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Flea bites can cause itchy welts, skin irritation, allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis), and secondary bacterial infections from scratching. Fleas are vectors for several diseases, including murine typhus and the plague (Yersinia pestis), and can transmit tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) to pets and sometimes humans. Benefits: Negligible direct benefits to humans; however, as part of the ecosystem, they are a food source for some predators and contribute to decomposition in their larval stage by consuming organic matter.
Identified on: 9/4/2025