Community identification
Flea
Ctenocephalides felis (Cat flea) or Ctenocephalides canis (Dog flea)
- Order & Family
- Order: Siphonaptera, Family: Pulicidae
- Size
- 1.5 to 3.3 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Typically found on domestic pets, in their bedding, carpets, and cracks in flooring within households.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate parasites; adults feed specifically on the blood of mammals or birds.
Behavior Patterns
Fleas are wingless but have powerful hind legs for jumping long distances. They exhibit a complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and can remain dormant in the cocoon stage for months until vibrations signal a nearby host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include painful, itchy bites, allergic dermatitis, and the transmission of diseases (such as typhus or plague) or tapeworms. There are no ecological benefits to humans.