What does a flea look like in a photo? - briefly
A flea appears as a tiny, dark, oval‑shaped insect about 1–3 mm long, with a compact body, long hind legs, and no wings, often captured in close‑up macro photography. Its legs are noticeably angled for jumping, and the head is small with short antennae.
What does a flea look like in a photo? - in detail
A flea photographed under magnification occupies only a few millimeters of the frame. The body is laterally compressed, giving a narrow, oval silhouette that tapers toward the rear. The exoskeleton shows a dark brown to reddish‑black coloration, often with a glossy sheen that reflects light.
The head is small, positioned at the anterior, bearing compound eyes that appear as tiny, glossy pits. Antennae emerge from the front, each consisting of several short segments that may be barely visible at low resolution. Mouthparts form a needle‑like proboscis, directed downward for piercing.
The thorax consists of three distinct segments, each bearing a pair of legs. The legs are remarkably long relative to body width, extending outward at an angle that creates a characteristic “jumping” posture. Each leg ends in a tiny claw, sometimes discernible as a faint point. The hind legs are the longest, adapted for powerful leaps.
The abdomen occupies the majority of the visible length, appearing segmented with subtle transverse lines. It may contain visible fecal pellets—tiny dark specks—especially if the specimen has fed recently. In well‑lit images, the abdomen’s surface shows fine striations and occasional setae (minute hairs) that catch the light.
When the flea is captured on a pet’s fur, the background consists of hair shafts that frame the insect, providing contrast. The flea’s body often casts a faint shadow on the surrounding fur, emphasizing its three‑dimensional shape.