How do fleas reproduce? - briefly
Female fleas deposit thousands of eggs in the host’s surroundings after feeding, where the eggs hatch into larvae that feed on organic matter. The larvae spin cocoons, undergo pupation, and emerge as adult fleas ready to locate a new host.
How do fleas reproduce? - in detail
Fleas complete their life cycle through four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female fleas lay 20–50 eggs per day after a blood meal, depositing them on the host’s fur or in the surrounding environment. Eggs are light‑colored, oval, and hatch within 1–10 days depending on temperature and humidity.
Larvae emerge as blind, worm‑like organisms that feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces (which contain partially digested blood). They undergo three instar molts over 5–20 days, during which they grow and accumulate reserves. When conditions become unfavorable or when a suitable cue (e.g., vibrations, carbon dioxide) is detected, larvae spin silken cocoons and enter the pupal stage.
The pupal phase can last from a few days to several months. Inside the cocoon, metamorphosis produces the adult flea. Environmental triggers—such as increased temperature, carbon dioxide, or host movement—stimulate emergence. Adult fleas are wingless, laterally compressed, and capable of jumping up to 150 times their body length.
Mature males locate females using pheromones and vibratory signals. Copulation occurs on the host; the male attaches to the female’s abdomen and transfers sperm through the genital opening. After mating, the female seeks a blood meal, which is necessary for egg development. Within 24–48 hours post‑feeding, she begins oviposition, completing the reproductive cycle.
Key factors influencing reproductive success include:
- Temperature: optimal range 20–30 °C accelerates development; extreme cold prolongs pupal dormancy.
- Humidity: high relative humidity (≥75 %) promotes egg hatching and larval survival.
- Host availability: regular blood meals are essential for adult longevity and egg production.
Understanding each stage and its environmental dependencies explains how flea populations expand rapidly under favorable conditions.