What do fleas and their eggs look like? - briefly
Adult fleas are tiny, laterally flattened insects measuring 1–3 mm, dark brown to reddish, with large hind legs adapted for jumping. Their eggs are minute, oval, about 0.5 mm long, smooth, and appear white or nearly transparent.
What do fleas and their eggs look like? - in detail
Adult fleas are laterally compressed insects measuring 1.5–4 mm in length. Their bodies are dark brown to reddish‑black, often appearing glossy due to a thin, waxy cuticle. The head is small, equipped with short, elbowed antennae that fold into grooves on the forehead. Compound eyes are reduced, and mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking proboscis adapted for blood feeding. Six legs are attached to the thorax; the hind pair are enlarged, enabling powerful jumps of up to 100 times the flea’s body length. Each leg ends in a pair of sharp spines that help the flea cling to fur or fabric. The abdomen is segmented, slightly flattened, and expands after a blood meal.
Flea eggs are oval, about 0.5 mm long and 0.2 mm wide. They are smooth, white or cream‑colored, and semi‑transparent, allowing some internal structures to be seen under magnification. Eggs are laid singly on the host’s fur, but most fall to the environment where they become embedded in bedding, carpet fibers, or soil. A female can deposit several hundred eggs per day, and the total fecundity exceeds 2,000 eggs over her lifespan. Eggs hatch within 2–5 days under optimal temperature (21–27 °C) and humidity (≥70 %).
Key visual cues for identification:
- Adults: 1.5–4 mm size, dark brown to black, laterally flattened, large hind legs with spines, short antennae in head grooves.
- Eggs: 0.5 mm length, oval shape, white/cream, smooth surface, often found in clusters on bedding or in cracks.
Understanding these characteristics assists in detection, control, and elimination of flea infestations.