What do flea larvae look like on a cat's fur? - briefly
Flea larvae are tiny, white, worm‑like creatures 2‑5 mm long, with a segmented, slightly curved body and a dark head capsule. They are typically located in the cat’s environment rather than directly on the fur.
What do flea larvae look like on a cat's fur? - in detail
Flea larvae on a cat’s coat are small, soft-bodied insects that differ markedly from adult fleas. They measure 2–5 mm in length, are cream‑to‑white in color, and lack legs, giving them a worm‑like silhouette. The body is divided into three distinct sections: a head capsule, a thoracic region, and an abdominal segment that tapers toward the rear. The head bears a pair of short, blunt mouthparts designed for ingesting organic debris rather than blood. The thorax is smooth, without segmentation visible to the naked eye, while the abdomen is slightly curved and may appear slightly translucent when the larva is young.
Key visual characteristics:
- Color: Uniform pale, ranging from off‑white to light tan.
- Texture: Fuzzy, covered with fine hairs that help retain moisture and debris.
- Movement: Slow, wriggling motions; larvae do not jump.
- Location on the animal: Typically hidden in the dense undercoat, especially near the base of the tail, around the neck, and in areas where the cat scratches or rolls, where fallen skin cells and flea feces accumulate.
The larvae feed on organic matter such as adult flea feces (which contain partially digested blood), dead skin cells, and mold spores. Their presence often coincides with a noticeable increase in flea eggs and dry, powdery debris—known as flea dirt—on the fur. Because they are concealed within the coat and are not attracted to light, they are seldom seen without close inspection or a thorough grooming session.
If a cat’s fur is examined under bright light or with a magnifying lens, the larvae appear as elongated, slightly flattened organisms that blend with the surrounding fur due to their light coloration. Their movement is sluggish, and they may be observed crawling along hair shafts or clustered in small groups within the woolly undercoat. Detecting them requires careful parting of the fur and gentle tactile probing.