Orchopeas howardi
(Baker, 1895)
Grey Squirrel Flea, squirrel flea
Orchopeas howardi is a in the , commonly known as the grey squirrel flea. It is primarily associated with squirrels (family Sciuridae) as its typical . The species has been documented in North America and Europe, with records from Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Belgium. A documented case from Illinois, USA, recorded this flea on wood ducklings (Aix sponsa), representing an association rather than typical host use.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Orchopeas howardi: /ˌɔːrkəˈpiːəs ˈhaʊərdi/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Distribution
Great Britain (common); Ireland (common); France (doubtful record); Belgium (doubtful record); Woodstock, Illinois, USA (documented occurrence on wood ducklings, 1985)
Host Associations
- Sciuridae - typical/primary Squirrels are the characteristic for this
- Aix sponsa - Wood ducklings documented as in a 1985 Illinois record from a wildlife rehabilitation center; represents atypical host use
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Four Cases of Human Plague Confirmed in New Mexico
- Spotted Cucumber Beetle: New Guide Profiles Crop Damage, Management for Polyphagous North American Pest
- Cutting Through the Complexity of Managing Early-Season Crop Pests
- Bug Eric: Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
- Wood Ducks as Accidental Hosts of the Squirrel Flea, <i>Orchopeas Howardi</i> (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae)