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