How are fleas born? - briefly
Fleas reproduce by females depositing eggs on hosts or in surrounding litter; the eggs hatch into larvae that consume organic matter, then form cocoons in which they pupate and emerge as adult insects.
How are fleas born? - in detail
Flea reproduction begins with internal fertilization. After a blood meal, a female transfers sperm received from a male during copulation and stores it in a spermatheca. She then deposits eggs on the host’s fur; the eggs are smooth, non‑adhesive, and readily detach, falling into the surrounding environment such as bedding, carpet, or soil.
A single female can lay up to 50 eggs per day and may produce several thousand eggs over her lifespan. Egg development is temperature‑dependent: at 75 °F (24 °C) hatching occurs within 1–3 days, while cooler conditions extend the period to 10 days.
The emerging larvae are C‑shaped, eyeless, and locomote by looping movements. They feed on organic debris, adult flea feces (which contain digested blood), and fungal spores. Larval growth proceeds through three instars, each lasting 3–5 days under optimal humidity (70‑80 %).
When ready to pupate, larvae spin a silken cocoon in the substrate. The pupal stage can last from a few days to several months, depending on environmental cues. Vibrations, increased temperature, and elevated carbon‑dioxide levels—signals of an approaching host—stimulate emergence. The adult flea chews its way out of the cocoon and seeks a blood meal within 24–48 hours.
Adult fleas are capable of mating shortly after their first blood meal. Males locate females by detecting pheromones and vibrational signals. After copulation, females resume egg production, completing the cycle.
Key environmental parameters for successful development:
- Temperature: 70–85 °F (21–29 °C)
- Relative humidity: 70–80 %
- Access to organic material for larval nutrition
- Presence of a vertebrate host for adult feeding
Understanding each stage—egg deposition, larval feeding, pupation, and adult emergence—provides a comprehensive view of flea ontogeny.