What do cat flea larvae look like? - briefly
Cat flea larvae are tiny, whitish, worm‑like creatures about 2–5 mm long, featuring a narrow head, a soft translucent body, and a dark, hardened rear segment called the spatula. They have no legs and are covered with fine hairs that aid in movement through debris.
What do cat flea larvae look like? - in detail
Cat flea larvae are small, soft-bodied insects measuring roughly 2–5 mm in length. Their bodies are elongated and slightly tapered at both ends, giving a worm‑like appearance. The cuticle is creamy‑white to pale yellow, often appearing translucent when moist. Segmentation is visible as a series of subtle annuli, each bearing a row of fine, hair‑like setae that help the organism sense its surroundings.
The head region is not distinctly separate from the thorax; instead, a modestly enlarged anterior segment houses a pair of short, chevron‑shaped mandibles used for chewing organic debris. Behind the head, three thoracic segments each support a pair of short, clawed legs that enable limited movement through the carpet of debris where larvae develop. The abdomen consists of ten visible segments, each bearing a dense fringe of bristles that assist in retaining moisture and preventing desiccation.
Key morphological features include:
- Coloration: Creamy to pale yellow, becoming paler after feeding.
- Surface texture: Smooth cuticle with fine, evenly spaced setae.
- Mouthparts: Chewing mandibles adapted for consuming organic matter, fungal spores, and adult flea feces.
- Legs: Three pairs of short, hooked legs, capable of grasping fibers in the environment.
- Spiracles: Small openings on the lateral sides of the abdominal segments for respiration.
Larvae lack the hardened exoskeleton and jumping legs characteristic of adult fleas. Their flattened, elongated shape facilitates movement through the litter, carpet fibers, and bedding where they feed on organic detritus and the fecal pellets of adult fleas, which appear as dark specks. The combination of a soft, creamy body, fine setae, and modest mouthparts distinguishes cat flea larvae from other household arthropod larvae.