Pulicidae

Common Fleas

Genus Guides

Cediopsylla
Ctenocephalides(cat fleas)
Echidnophaga(Stick-tight Fleas)
Pulex(human flea (for P. irritans))

is a of fleas (Siphonaptera) containing 181 in 27 . Members are wingless, laterally compressed of mammals with exceptional jumping ability enabled by the elastic protein . The family includes significant pests such as the cat flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*), dog (*C. canis*), and human flea (*Pulex irritans*), which are of and .

Pulex irritans by (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pulex irritans by (c) Michael Wunderli, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Echidnophaga gallinacea by (c) Olha Schedrina / The Natural History Museum, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pulicidae: //pjuːˈlɪsɪdiː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Laterally flattened body distinguishes fleas from other insect orders. Within Siphonaptera, are distinguished from other by combination of genal and pronotal combs (ctenidia) present or absent depending on , and specific and abdominal chaetotaxy. Genus *Ctenocephalides* possesses both genal and pronotal combs; *Pulex* lacks both combs. Family-level identification requires microscopic examination of these structures.

Images

Habitat

Associated with mammalian and their environments. occur on host animals. Larvae develop in substrates where host rests or nests, including bedding, carpets, soil, and debris containing organic matter. Laboratory rearing uses sand mixed with dried blood and adult .

Distribution

. 16 of 181 known from North America. Individual species distributions vary: *Ctenocephalides felis* is cosmopolitan on domestic ; *C. canis* recorded from Chile, Ireland, Hungary, Albania, Republic of Korea, Georgia (USA), northern Greece, and Argentina; *Pulex irritans* associated with human archaeological sediments in Europe and Greenland.

Diet

feed on mammalian blood. Larvae feed on dried blood, adult , and organic debris.

Host Associations

mammals - primary All life stages dependent on mammalian for blood meals; larvae feed on dried blood and in host environment

Life Cycle

Complete : , three larval instars, pupa, . Larvae mobile immediately after hatching. Third instar larvae void stomach contents before . Larval instars distinguished by capsule width measurements.

Behavior

jump using -powered mechanism, achieving 50-200 times body length. Larvae move via "hook and pull" locomotion: extend forward, contact substrate with maxillary palps, contract body to pull forward at speeds up to 1.14 body lengths per second. Larvae avoid competitors and in dense through active movement.

Ecological Role

of mammals. obtain blood meals; larvae process organic debris and waste in nest environments. affected by host .

Human Relevance

Major medical and veterinary pests. Transmit *Yersinia pestis* (), murine typhus (* typhi*), and *Dipylidium caninum* tapeworm. Cause bite allergy dermatitis in pets and humans. Require integrated management including hygiene and chemical treatments.

Similar Taxa

other Siphonaptera families distinguished by presence/absence patterns of genal and pronotal combs and specific chaetotaxy; other lack this combination or possess different comb arrangements

More Details

Locomotion research

High-speed videography and SEM imaging (Smith et al. 2026) revealed that cat flea larvae use maxillary palps—typically sensory mouthparts—for locomotion, representing behavioral co-option of non-locomotory structures. No specialized locomotory anatomical features were found on these palps.