What do house flea larvae look like? - briefly
House flea larvae are tiny, elongated, creamy‑white insects about 2–5 mm long, with a slightly flattened body, no legs, and a darker, tapered head. Their skin is smooth and they are often found in dark, humid areas such as carpets, bedding, or cracks where they feed on organic debris.
What do house flea larvae look like? - in detail
House flea larvae are small, soft-bodied insects measuring approximately 2–5 mm in length when fully grown. Their bodies are elongated, cylindrical, and lack visible segmentation, giving a smooth, worm‑like appearance. The cuticle is pale cream to off‑white, often becoming slightly translucent as the larva matures, which allows internal organs to be faintly seen.
Key morphological features include:
- Head region: Lacks distinct eyes or antennae; instead, a pair of short, sensory setae are present near the anterior margin, serving as tactile organs.
- Mouthparts: Chewing mandibles are concealed beneath a ventral labrum, adapted for consuming organic debris, fungal spores, and dried blood.
- Thoracic legs: Absent; locomotion relies on rhythmic contractions of the body wall and short, bristle‑like setae that grip substrate.
- Spiracles: Small, lateral openings on each side of the posterior segments facilitate respiration; they appear as tiny dark dots.
- Posterior end: Terminates in a short, stubby tail equipped with a pair of lateral bristles that aid in anchoring to fabric or carpet fibers.
The larva’s surface is covered with fine, hair‑like setae that vary in density. These setae can be slightly darker than the body, providing a subtle speckled texture. When disturbed, the larva may curl into a tight “C” shape, exposing its ventral side and reducing exposure to predators.
Flea larvae differ from common household moth or beetle larvae by their lack of prolegs, smoother body outline, and the presence of a distinctive, elongated head capsule without prominent mandibles. Their coloration remains consistently light throughout development, contrasting with the darker, often striped appearance of many other domestic larvae.