Fleas
Cat Flea , Ctenocephalides felis felis
The Cat Flea is small at about 2mm long, reddish brown in colour and is flattened laterally which enables it to move amongst the hair of its vertebrate host. Distinctive features are the large jumping legs; the row of black non-sensory spines on the front margin of the head and on the rear of the first thoracic segment. These bristles or combs are a diagnostic of the Dog Flea. Eyes and antennae are apparent and the mouth parts, adapted for piercing and sucking, are seen projecting downwards from the head.
Eggs are laid in the cat’s fur, bedding, resting site and in areas where the cat is to be found. The cat and dog are the preferred host but cat fleas are capable of feeding on humans. It is an intermediate host for the cestode tape worm.
Dog Flea , Ctenocephalides canis
The dog flea is small 2-2.5mm long for the male and 2-3.5 for the female.
The most distinctive features of the dog flea are the large jumping legs and the
row of black non-sensory spines on the front margin of the head and on the rear
of the first thoracic segment. These bristles or combs are a diagnostic feature
of the dog flea.
After mating the female flea lays several hundred eggs in batches after each blood meal, in the dog’s hair, bedding resting site and in areas where the dog is to be found.
Bird Flea – Ceratophyllus gallinae gallinae
The Bird Flea is small, around 2mm long reddish brown in colour and is flattened laterally. Distinctive features are the large jumping legs and the row of at least 24 black non-sensory spines on the rear of the first thoracic segment. Also apparent are the eyes the antennae and the mouthparts, adapted for piercing and sucking which can be seen projecting downwards from the head.
Birds are the preferred hosts but the Bird Flea is capable of feeding on humans but is unable to complete development on human blood alone. It is the common flea of poultry, being found in intensive farming and free range flocks.
Advanced Rodent Control.