Dog Flea

Inhabits the skin and fur of mammals, particularly dogs and cats, as well as carpets, bedding, and floor crevices in homes.

Adults are hematophagous, feeding exclusively on the blood of their host. Larvae feed on organic debris and adult flea feces ('flea dirt').

They are wingless, jumping parasites that use powerful hind legs for movement. They undergo a complete metamorphosis with four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Risks include skin irritation, allergic dermatitis, and the potential transmission of parasites like tapeworms. They offer no known benefits to the ecosystem.