Echidnophaga

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Siphonaptera
Family: Pulicidae
Genus: Echidnophaga

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Echidnophaga: /ˌɛ.kɪdˈnɒ.fə.ɡə/

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Summary

Echidnophaga gallinacea, commonly known as the hen flea or sticktight flea, is a small blood-feeding ectoparasite affecting various hosts, especially poultry. They are prevalent in tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones and can lead to severe health issues for their hosts.

Physical Characteristics

Echidnophaga gallinacea are small flea measuring approximately 2 millimetres in length, appearing dark brown, and lacking genal and pronotal combs (ctenidia). They have a laterally flattened body, powerful hind legs, and an angular shaped head. Their body is divided into three sections: head, thorax, and abdomen.

Identification Tips

Echidnophaga gallinacea can be identified by their small size (about half the size of a common cat flea), dark brown color, lack of combs on the head, and the presence of two hairs behind the antennae.

Habitat

Echidnophaga gallinacea typically inhabit organic matter-rich areas such as free-range, rural, or backyard farms, with a preference for locations like chicken coops.

Distribution

Echidnophaga gallinacea are found in Africa, parts of Asia, southern Europe, and Australia, with a broad distribution including North America and they are known to be cosmopolitan.

Diet

They feed on the blood of various hosts, including chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, and humans.

Life Cycle

The life cycle includes eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. After mating, females attach to a host to feed and lay eggs, which hatch into larvae, grow through instars, spin cocoons, and eventually emerge as adults.

Reproduction

Females attach to a host and feed, embedding themselves for reproduction. They lay eggs which can fall into the environment or into wounds made by their feeding.

Ecosystem Role

As ectoparasites, they play a role in host population dynamics by potentially impacting host health and survival.

Economic Impact

Echidnophaga gallinacea infestations can lead to economic losses in poultry farming through reduced animal health and increased need for management and treatment.

Health Concerns

Infestations can cause skin irritation, dermatitis, ulcerations, excessive blood loss, anemia, and may transmit diseases like rickettsia and bartonella.

Collecting Methods

Manual removal with tweezers
Flea traps

Preservation Methods

Preserving in 70% ethanol

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

There is a misconception that fleas only infest pets, but Echidnophaga gallinacea can attach to a wide host range including poultry and humans.