What do flea larvae look like on a cat? - briefly
Flea larvae are tiny, creamy‑white, legless worms about 2–5 mm long, featuring a tapered head and a slightly curved, segmented body. They are usually present in the cat’s bedding or surrounding carpet rather than directly on the animal’s skin.
What do flea larvae look like on a cat? - in detail
Flea larvae are small, soft-bodied insects that differ markedly from adult fleas. On a cat, they are not visible on the skin because they develop in the environment, not on the host’s fur. When they are present near a cat, they can be found in the litter box, bedding, or carpet fibers where the animal sheds eggs and feces.
The larvae measure 2–5 mm in length, appear white or cream‑colored, and have a tapered, C‑shaped body. Their bodies are covered with fine hairs that give a slightly fuzzy appearance under magnification. The head is concealed beneath the thorax, lacking visible eyes or antennae; instead, they possess short sensory setae near the mouthparts. The abdomen is segmented, each segment bearing short, bristle‑like hairs that aid in movement through debris.
Key visual traits:
- Length: 2–5 mm, elongate, slightly curved.
- Color: translucent white to pale cream.
- Body surface: fine, dense hairs giving a fuzzy texture.
- Head: hidden, no discernible eyes or antennae.
- Mouthparts: small, adapted for ingesting organic debris.
Larvae feed on adult flea feces (which contain partially digested blood) and organic detritus. They thrive in warm, humid conditions (approximately 75–85 °F, 70–80 % relative humidity). The presence of a cat creates an ideal microhabitat by providing a continual supply of eggs and fecal material.
Identification requires collecting material from the cat’s surroundings, placing it on a white background, and examining it under a magnifying lens or microscope. The combination of size, coloration, hair density, and C‑shaped posture distinguishes flea larvae from other small insects such as moth or beetle larvae.