What is the scientific name for a flea? - briefly
The order comprising all fleas is Siphonaptera. The most widespread species, the cat flea, is scientifically named Ctenocephalides felis.
What is the scientific name for a flea? - in detail
The taxonomic designation for the insect commonly known as a flea is Order Siphonaptera. Members of this order are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Within Siphonaptera, several families and genera are recognized, each containing species with distinct host preferences.
Key points of classification:
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Siphonaptera
Representative species and their scientific names:
- Pulex irritans – the human flea, historically the most widely cited species.
- Ctenocephalides felis – the cat flea, the most prevalent flea affecting domestic cats and dogs.
- Ctenocephalides canis – the dog flea, closely related to C. felis but more frequently found on canines.
- Xenopsylla cheopis – the Oriental rat flea, a primary vector of plague bacteria.
The binomial nomenclature follows the Linnaean system: the genus name is capitalized, the species epithet is lowercase, and both are italicized. This format provides a universal identifier that eliminates ambiguity across languages and regions.