How do dead fleas look? - briefly
Dead fleas appear as tiny, flattened insects with a darkened, desiccated exoskeleton; their legs are often curled inward and the body may be slightly shrunken. They show no movement and lack the glossy sheen of living specimens.
How do dead fleas look? - in detail
Dead fleas are tiny, flattened insects measuring 1–3 mm in length. Their exoskeleton becomes brittle and loses its natural sheen, turning matte and often appearing dull brown or gray. The body segments—head, thorax, and abdomen—remain distinguishable, but the joints may collapse, causing the flea to assume a slightly curled posture.
Key visual traits of a deceased specimen include:
- Color change: From the typical reddish‑brown of a living flea to a muted, almost translucent hue.
- Surface texture: The cuticle becomes rough and may crack at the edges of the abdomen.
- Leg position: Legs often fold inward or curl against the body, no longer extended for jumping.
- Antennae and mouthparts: These become rigid, sometimes obscured by the collapsed abdomen.
- Eyes: Opaque and non‑reflective, lacking the glossy appearance of live eyes.
Internally, the flea’s organs shrink and may appear as faint, pale masses within the abdomen. The digestive tract, previously filled with blood, is empty, leaving a hollow cavity. These characteristics allow identification of a dead flea without the need for magnification, though a microscope reveals finer details such as the loss of setae (bristles) and the degradation of the flea’s spiracles.