What do white fleas look like? - briefly
White fleas are minute, wingless insects measuring roughly 1–3 mm, with a pale, almost translucent exoskeleton densely covered by short setae that create a frosted appearance. They present as a faint, milky dust on hosts or in infested environments.
What do white fleas look like? - in detail
White‑colored fleas are small, wingless insects measuring approximately 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are laterally compressed, giving a flattened appearance that facilitates movement through host fur or feathers.
The head bears a pair of short, segmented antennae ending in sensory clubs. Compound eyes are reduced, often appearing as tiny dark spots against the pale cuticle. Mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking proboscis adapted for blood extraction.
The thorax consists of three segments, each bearing a pair of legs. Legs end in strong, curved claws that grasp host hair. All six legs are equipped with powerful muscles, enabling rapid jumps of up to 100 times the flea’s body length.
The abdomen is segmented into nine visible tergites. In white specimens, the cuticle lacks melanin, resulting in a translucent, almost ivory hue. The surface may exhibit a fine, powdery wax coating that reduces desiccation.
Key morphological characteristics:
- Length: 1.5–3 mm, laterally flattened body.
- Color: translucent white, minimal pigmentation.
- Head: short antennae, reduced compound eyes, piercing proboscis.
- Thorax: three segments, six strong legs with curved claws.
- Abdomen: nine tergites, smooth waxy cuticle.
- Wings: absent; locomotion achieved by jumping.
These traits distinguish pale fleas from darker relatives, allowing identification in microscopic examinations or field samples.