Dog Flea
Ctenocephalides canis
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Siphonaptera
- Family: Pulicidae
- Genus: Ctenocephalides
- Species: canis
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ctenocephalides canis: /ˌktɛnoʊˌsɛfəˈlaɪdiːz ˈkeɪnɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
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Summary
Ctenocephalides canis, or the dog flea, is an ectoparasitic flea found mainly on dogs and cats, causing discomfort and potential health issues due to its blood-feeding habits and ability to transmit various diseases.
Physical Characteristics
Egg - white, 0.5 mm; Larvae - 1.0 mm; Adult - 1.5-2.0 mm. The adult dog flea has a rounded head and a shorter first genal comb compared to Ctenocephalides felis. The hind tarsi exhibit a specific arrangement of setae for identification.
Identification Tips
The dog flea can be identified microscopically. Its head is more rounded than the cat flea's, and the tibiae of the hind legs have eight setae-bearing notches, unlike the six found in cat fleas.
Habitat
Ectoparasitic, typically found on domestic dogs and cats; can also inhabit the surrounding environment where pets live.
Distribution
Cosmopolitan, but more common in Europe.
Diet
Feeds on the blood of dogs and other mammals, occasionally biting humans.
Life Cycle
The life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, taking about 21 days under ideal conditions, longer in cooler environments.
Reproduction
Females require a blood meal to produce eggs and can lay about 4000 eggs per host.
Ecosystem Role
As ectoparasites, they play a role in the ecosystem by affecting the populations of their mammalian hosts and being vectors for other organisms.
Economic Impact
Fleas can cause discomfort and health issues in domestic animals, leading to economic costs associated with veterinary care and flea control.
Health Concerns
Fleas can transmit diseases to pets and humans, including tapeworms and diseases like bubonic plague and murine typhus. They can cause flea allergy dermatitis in sensitive dogs.
Collecting Methods
- Vacuuming
- Using flea combs
- Trapping with sticky pads
Preservation Methods
- Freezing specimens
- Dry storage in labeled containers
Misconceptions
People often underestimate the capacity of fleas to survive without food, and may believe that once infestations are treated they are permanently resolved without ongoing control measures.
Tags
- ectoparasite
- flea
- dog flea
- Ctenocephalides canis
- animal health
- pest control