Cat Flea

Fleas are one of the more important groups of insect pests because they not only cause discomfort by biting, but they can transmit several diseases such as plague and murine typhus. Cat fleas are found throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

Recognition

Adults about 1/8" long. Body laterally flattened; wingless. Color brownish black to black, but reddish black when full of blood. Female's head twice as long as high. Compound eyes well developed. Both genial and pronotal combs present, each composed of 16 spines, and genal comb's first 2 anterior spines of about equal length. Femur of hind leg with 7-10 bristles on inner side. Abdominal terga 2-6 with a single row of bristles. In addition, antennae short, 3-segmented; ocelli lacking; legs long, coax large, tarsi 5-segmented; usually jumping insects; mouthparts piercing-sucking with well developed palps.

Mature larvae about twice the adult length. Larvae whitish, slender, eyeless, and legless. With a well developed head. Anal struts/hooks 2, small. With moderately long, backward-projecting hairs encircling each segment. Last abdominal segment with 3 ventrolateral hairs.

Habits

It is not necessary to have pets in the building in order to have fleas present. Since fleas can jump about 6" vertically, they can easily hitch a ride on shoes, trousers, etc.

Many vacationers, who may have been unaware of the few adult fleas present, are often greeted and severely attacked by fleas upon their return. This can occur even if the building has been vacant of animal and people for as long as 6 months or so. This situation can occur because of the potentially long pupal period, adults can live for month without food, and because fleas have not been removed via normal vacuuming. Also, fleas are normally removed from the interior environment by taking up residence on the pet(s).

Fleas are typically found where animals sleep and frequent, including along their usual avenue of travel, because this is where eggs and adult fecal blood accumulate. Most larvae will be found in similar places but especially in areas with high moisture. That is, places include both indoor and outdoor situations. Cat fleas are also found on other urban host such as opossum, fox mongoose, and occasionally rats.