How do breeding fleas look? - briefly
«Reproducing fleas» are tiny, dark, laterally flattened insects 1–3 mm long, with a streamlined body and powerful hind legs for jumping. Gravid females show an enlarged, blood‑filled abdomen that appears swollen compared with unfed individuals.
How do breeding fleas look? - in detail
Breeding fleas exhibit distinct morphological features at each developmental stage, allowing precise identification under magnification.
The adult female, actively engaged in reproduction, measures 2–4 mm in length. Its body is laterally compressed, facilitating movement through host fur. The exoskeleton appears dark brown to black, with a glossy surface that reflects light. Antennae consist of 20–30 short segments, each bearing fine sensory setae. The hind legs are enlarged, equipped with powerful spines that enable rapid jumping. Visible genitalia include a concealed ovipositor, extending only during egg‑laying.
Eggs are oval, approximately 0.5 mm long, and translucent white. They are deposited on the host’s skin or in the surrounding environment, often clustering in protected crevices. The chorion is smooth, lacking ornamentation, which aids in adherence to hair shafts.
Larvae emerge as C‑shaped, whitish organisms, 2–5 mm in length. Their cuticle is soft, lacking sclerotization, and covered with fine hair‑like setae that increase surface area for moisture absorption. The head capsule is dark, housing mandibles adapted for consuming organic debris and adult flea feces. Three thoracic segments bear short legs, each ending in a single claw for anchoring to substrates.
Pupae are enclosed within a silken cocoon, measuring 3–5 mm. The pupal case is dark brown, with a smooth exterior. Internally, the developing adult exhibits segmentation similar to the adult form, but remains immobile until emergence. The cocoon provides protection against desiccation and predation.
The mature male, comparable in size to the female (2–3 mm), displays a slightly lighter coloration, often reddish‑brown. Antennae and hind legs mirror the female’s structure, though genitalia are external, visible as a small ventral opening. Males lack a functional ovipositor.
Key visual identifiers:
- Adult female: dark, laterally flattened, enlarged hind legs, concealed ovipositor.
- Eggs: tiny, translucent, smooth chorion.
- Larvae: C‑shaped, whitish, soft cuticle, mandibles.
- Pupae: encased in silken cocoon, dark brown case.
- Adult male: lighter hue, external genital opening.
These characteristics enable accurate differentiation of breeding fleas throughout their life cycle.