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Siphonaptera

Siphonaptera

Siphonaptera

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom Animalia
  • Phylum Arthropoda
  • Class Insecta
  • Order Siphonaptera

Final host

  • Mammals and birds

    Morphology

  • Adults: wingless insects of small size (≈ 1 - 6 mm long) and body colour from light brown to black
  • Body laterally compressed
  • The antennae are short, clublike and recessed into an antennal groove in the head
  • Third pair of legs much longer than the others (adapted for jumping)
  • There may be rows of dark spines called ctenidia or 'combs' in the head (genal comb) and-or first segment of the thorax (pronotal comb)

    Cycle

  • Holometabolous with four stages (egg, larva, pupa and adult)
  • Only the adults are parasitic

    Location

  • Skin surface (temporary parasites)

    Feeding

  • Haematophagous (adults both sexes)

    Diagnostic

  • Adults

    Transmission

  • Adults