How many eggs does a flea lay per day? - briefly
A female flea usually lays between 20 and 50 eggs each day, with output increasing in warm, humid conditions and when the host supplies frequent blood meals. Egg production reaches its maximum when temperature and host availability are optimal.
How many eggs does a flea lay per day? - in detail
Female fleas are capable of producing a large number of eggs each day when conditions are favorable. The most common species, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), can lay between 30 and 50 eggs per 24‑hour period, reaching a total output of roughly 1,500–2,500 eggs over its lifetime. Dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) exhibit a similar daily rate, while the rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) typically deposits 20–30 eggs per day.
Egg production depends on several environmental and biological factors:
- Temperature: Optimal range 20 °C–30 °C; lower temperatures reduce oviposition sharply.
- Relative humidity: 70 %–80 % supports maximum egg laying; dry air leads to premature cessation.
- Blood meals: Each ingested blood meal triggers oviposition within 24–48 hours; a well‑fed female may lay eggs continuously for 2–3 weeks.
- Host availability: Continuous access to a host sustains egg output; interruption shortens the reproductive period.
The reproductive cycle proceeds as follows: after a blood meal, a female matures her eggs and begins laying within a day. Eggs are deposited on the host’s fur or surrounding environment, where they remain viable for 2–5 days before hatching. Larvae emerge, feed on organic debris, and develop into pupae within 5–10 days under suitable conditions.
Key quantitative data:
- Daily egg output: 30–50 (cat flea), 20–30 (rat flea).
- Lifetime egg total: up to ~2,500 (cat flea).
- Egg incubation: 2–5 days.
- Larval development: 5–10 days to pupation.
These figures illustrate the high reproductive capacity of fleas and the environmental parameters that govern daily egg production.