What do fleas look like? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects roughly 1–3 mm long, with a laterally flattened, dark reddish‑brown body. Their exoskeleton bears hard, spiky bristles, and they have enlarged hind legs adapted for powerful jumps.
What do fleas look like? - in detail
Fleas are tiny, laterally flattened insects measuring approximately 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are oval and compact, enabling them to navigate through the fur or feathers of hosts. The exoskeleton is smooth and covered with microscopic spines that reduce friction and assist in jumping.
The coloration ranges from reddish‑brown to dark brown, varying with species and engorgement level. After a blood meal, the abdomen expands and becomes noticeably fuller, often appearing lighter due to the ingested blood. The head is small, equipped with large, compound eyes and short antennae that lie close to the body.
Key morphological features include:
- Legs: Six strong legs, each ending in a comb‑like structure called a pulvillus, which provides traction on hair and fur.
- Jumping apparatus: Hind legs are disproportionately long and muscular, allowing jumps up to 100 times the flea’s body length.
- Mouthparts: Piercing‑sucking proboscis adapted for penetrating skin and extracting blood; the stylet is slender and retractable.
- Wings: Absent; fleas are wingless, relying entirely on their jumping ability for locomotion.
Internal anatomy is typical of holometabolous insects: a dorsal thorax housing the flight muscles (though unused), a ventral abdomen containing the digestive tract, reproductive organs, and a tracheal system for respiration. The cuticle is sclerotized, providing protection against host grooming and environmental hazards.