What do flea larvae look like on cats? - briefly
Flea larvae are tiny, legless, whitish‑cream worms about 2–5 mm in length, with a translucent, segmented body. They are usually located in the cat’s environment (bedding, carpet) rather than directly on the animal’s fur.
What do flea larvae look like on cats? - in detail
Flea larvae are small, worm‑like organisms measuring approximately 2–5 mm in length. Their bodies are soft, translucent to creamy‑white, and lack segmentation visible to the naked eye. The head is rounded, equipped with a pair of short, backward‑pointing bristles (sensilla) that aid in detecting humidity. The thoracic region bears three pairs of short legs, each ending in tiny claws that enable the larva to move through the fibrous debris of a cat’s coat and surrounding environment.
The abdomen is elongated and tapers toward the posterior end, where a pair of spiracles—tiny breathing openings—are situated on each side. These spiracles are surrounded by a ring of fine hairs that facilitate gas exchange while the larva remains concealed in the cat’s bedding, carpet fibers, or under the fur where organic material accumulates.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Color: milky white to pale yellow, becoming slightly darker as the larva matures.
- Texture: smooth, gelatinous cuticle that becomes more rigid near the final instar.
- Size progression: early instar larvae are about 1 mm; later stages reach up to 5 mm.
- Leg arrangement: three pairs of short, stubby legs positioned just behind the head.
- Spiracles: visible as small dark spots near the rear, each surrounded by microscopic hairs.
Larvae are rarely seen directly on a cat because they prefer dark, humid microhabitats rich in organic debris, such as litter boxes, carpets, or the animal’s bedding. When present on the animal, they are typically found in areas where skin flakes, saliva, and blood meals accumulate, providing the nutrients required for development. Their presence indicates a mature flea infestation, as larvae emerge from eggs laid by adult fleas within the environment rather than on the host itself.