What do palas fleas look like? - briefly
Palas fleas are tiny, laterally compressed insects about 1–3 mm long, dark brown to reddish‑brown, with distinct bristles on the head and thorax. Their hind legs terminate in curved spines that enable rapid jumps.
What do palas fleas look like? - in detail
Palas fleas are tiny, laterally flattened insects measuring 1.5–2.5 mm in length. Their bodies are covered with dense, short setae that give a matte, grayish‑brown appearance. The dorsal surface exhibits a pattern of fine sculpturing: a shallow central groove runs longitudinally, flanked by raised ridges that create a subtle, honeycomb‑like texture. The head is proportionally small, with compound eyes reduced to minute ocelli and antennae composed of three segments, the distal one bearing a sensory club. Mouthparts are adapted for piercing, featuring a slender, retractable stylet.
The legs are short, each bearing five segments and ending in claw‑like tarsi that enable rapid jumping. Tarsal segments are equipped with tiny pulvilli, providing grip on host fur. The abdomen consists of nine visible segments, each bearing a pair of lateral bristles that assist in locomotion and sensory detection. Coloration varies slightly with age: newly emerged specimens appear lighter, while mature individuals develop a darker, more saturated hue due to sclerotization.
Key morphological characteristics:
- Length: 1.5–2.5 mm
- Body shape: dorsoventrally flattened, laterally compressed
- Surface texture: fine sculpturing with central groove and ridges
- Color: gray‑brown, darkening with maturity
- Head: reduced eyes, three‑segmented antennae with sensory club
- Mouthparts: piercing stylet
- Legs: five‑segmented, clawed tarsi with pulvilli
- Abdomen: nine segments, each with lateral bristles
These traits distinguish palas fleas from related ectoparasites and facilitate identification during microscopic examination.