Flea

Guides

Cediopsylla
Cediopsylla is a genus of fleas in the family Pulicidae, subfamily Spilopsyllinae. The genus includes species that are 'hormone bound' parasites, with reproductive cycles synchronized to host breeding biology. Cediopsylla simplex, the only well-documented species, parasitizes rabbits and exhibits maturation and breeding patterns controlled by host reproductive hormones. Female fleas mature on pregnant hosts and nestlings, but not on non-pregnant hosts.
flea ectoparasite lagomorph-parasite hormone-bound-reproduction Pulicidae rabbit-flea
Cediopsylla simplex
Cediopsylla simplex is a flea species in the family Pulicidae. Its reproductive biology is tightly coupled to host hormonal cycles, with female maturation occurring specifically on pregnant rabbits and nestlings rather than on estrous does. The species has been described as "hormone bound," indicating that its breeding cycle is controlled by and synchronized with the breeding cycle of its host. This physiological dependency represents a specialized adaptation among fleas.
flea rabbit-parasite hormone-bound-reproduction host-synchronized-life-cycle Pulicidae Siphonaptera ectoparasite reproductive-parasitism
Ceratophyllidae
Rodent and Bird Fleas
Ceratophyllidae is a family of fleas (Siphonaptera) comprising ectoparasites that primarily infest rodents and birds. The family contains two subfamilies: one with over 40 genera and another with only three. Members are blood-feeding parasites with documented associations spanning multiple host groups including rodents (Peromyscus, Neotoma), birds, and occasionally marsupials such as the Virginia opossum. Several species within this family have been implicated as potential vectors for zoonotic pathogens.
flea ectoparasite vector zoonosis rodent bird nest-parasite public-health
Cixius yufengi
Cixius yufengi is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Tsaur in 1993. The species belongs to a genus of small, often inconspicuous insects that feed on plant sap. Very little specific information is available about this particular species.
planthopper Cixiidae California-endemic Tsaur-1993 Auchenorrhyncha Fulgoromorpha sap-feeder Hemiptera insect arthropod Hexapoda Animalia Eukaryota Delphacoidea Cixiinae Cixiini Cixius species accepted GBIF Catalogue-of-Life taxonomy distribution California USA United-States North-America endemic invertebrate hemipteran true-bug bug insecta animal hexapod eukaryote arthropoda cixius-yufengi yufengi Tsaur 1993 scientific-name canonical-name authorship rank status genus specific-epithet classification taxonomy-match exact kingdom phylum class order family distribution-records Buglife endemic-species British-endemics Ivell's-Sea-Anemone Edwardsia-ivelli Widewater-Lagoon Sussex extinct likely-extinct not-seen-in-over-forty-years 1973 1983 dance-fly Poecilobothrus-majesticus Essex 1907 Caledonian-Planthopper Cixius-caledonicus not-seen-for-70-years Manx-Shearwater-Flea Ceratophyllus-fionnus 1960s Turk's-Earth-Centipede Nothogeophilus-turki Isles-of-Scilly Isle-of-Wight 1988 never-seen-again conservation James-Harding-Morris book British-endemic-invertebrates Craig-Macadam Celtic-Woodlouse Metatrichoniscoides-celticus Wales western-fringes-of-England 1980s Chater's-Bristletail Dilta-chateri iridescent jumping-powers 1990s Lundy-Cabbage-Flea-Beetle Psylliodes-luridipennis Lundy-Island Devon co-endemism Lundy-Cabbage endemic-plant Lundy-Cabbage-Weevil Ceutorhynchus-contractus-pallipes taxonomic-uncertainty Horrid-Ground-weaver Nothophantes-horridus Plymouth development Northern-February-Red-Stonefly Brachyptera-putata Scotland drumming abdomen-tapping British-Cave-Shrimp Niphargus-glenniei blind ghostly-pale caves damp-rock-fissures temporary-puddles humid-caves rediscovered protected survival conservation-priorities global-responsibility evolutionary-twists ecological-intrigue hope natural-heritage Back-from-the-Brink RSPB Big-Garden-Birdwatch BSBI New-Year-Plant-Hunt plants wildlife nature communications public-engagement campaigns rare-species obscure-species overlooked-species irreplaceable-species local-wonders global-stakes isolation thousands-of-years millions-of-years evolution landscapes Red-Squirrel Hedgehog Europe shared-species nowhere-else no-backup no-second-chances celebration protection cherish recognise awareness habitat-protection research forgotten-creatures spotlight slipping-through-the-cracks unknown-to-public rarely-surveyed barely-hanging-on already-gone uncomfortable-truth important-species least-known strange deeply-unsettling sole-global-responsibility lose-them-everywhere organisations fighting-to-change extraordinary-work rarest most-threatened entirely-overlooked forgotten evolved step-with-Britain's-landscapes familiar-species share-with-Europe population-overseas reintroduce lose-them written journey overlooked irreplaceable found-nowhere-else-on-Earth call-to-recognise protect uniquely-ours available-now booksellers species-found-nowhere-else-on-Earth passionate-nature-enthusiast lifelong-love exploring natural-world trekking mountains rare-flowers scouring fens elusive-moths investigating exotic-invertebrates hothouses fascination unwavering professional-life conservation-sector high-impact-campaigns inspired England's-rarest most-obscure-species mission Britain-and-Ireland fall-in-love-with-plants SHARE Facebook LinkedIn guest-blog author how-many-species found-only-in-Britain simple-question comprehensive-list researching writing 2022 reference buried-in-books scattered-across-internet tucked-away minds-of-species-experts result over-700-species at-least-another-100-subspecies occur-nowhere-else-on-Earth total-global-responsibility very-few-people name-even-a-single-one struck most-irreplaceable-species live-or-die decisions-made-within-our-borders top-of-conservation-priorities celebrated understood set-out tell-their-stories unique-invertebrates incredibly-fortunate Buglife's-Conservation-Director first-time compiling-report 20-species five-species-of-fly four-species-of-beetle two-stoneflies one-each woodlouse centipede millipede flea bristletail spider shrimp sea-anemone tell-stories go-out-and-find-them picked-five track-down bumped-into couple-more searched-under-coastal-rocks exquisite pearly-translucent tiny-species barely-2.5mm-long first-discovered known-only-from-Wales nearby searched-damp ferny-woodlands alien-looking astonishing-jumping-powers named-new-to-science travelled Devon's-Lundy-Island try-and-see particularly-rare-pairing only-known-example endemic-beetle possibly-endemic spend-their-lives wintry-visit search elusive-and-threatened found-in-just-a-few-sites within-the-city perpetually-under-pressure owes-its-survival tireless-efforts guided-tour prime-Northern-February-Red-Stonefly habitat blew-my-mind musical-prowess stoneflies-'drum'tapping-their-abdomens slithering-through-tight muddy underground-tunnels personal-favourite utterly-gorgeous spends-its-life chance-search Devon-coast first-sighting almost-thirty-years ones-we've-lost immediately-drawn only-ever-known unfortunately Craig's-report hasn't-been-seen over-forty-years first-collected last-seen within-a-decade knowing-this-species-existed gone-forever sadly not-uncommon-theme endemic-invertebrates discovered hasn't-been-found over-a-century 70-years don't-think-anyone spotted since-the-1960s not-long-after first-described first-found strange-and-uncomfortable-truth some-of-the-most-important-species also-some-of-the-least-known by-definition Britain's-sole-global-responsibility lose-them-here despite-that-significance thankfully organisations-fighting raising-awareness rarest-and-most-threatened otherwise-remain leading-edge-research evolved-in-step Britain's-landscapes thousands unlike-more-familiar-species no-population-overseas nowhere-to-reintroduce why-I-wrote-Endemic utterly-unique mosses woodlice beetles buttercups stories-full-of right-attention action still-be-saved held-on possible within-our-reach all-good-booksellers overlooked-and-irreplaceable Backs-Goldilocks-Buttercup Heather-Stuckey About-the-Author trekking-up-mountains scouring-fens investigating-exotic-invertebrates fascination-with-wildlife RSPB's-Big-Garden-Birdwatch BSBI's-New-Year-Plant-Hunt Back-from-the-Brink-project care-deeply currently ensure-everyone opportunity work-with-BSBI SHARE-ON
Ctenocephalides
cat fleas, dog fleas
Ctenocephalides is a genus of fleas in the family Pulicidae, tribe Archaeopsyllini, containing approximately 13 species and subspecies worldwide. The genus includes two cosmopolitan species of major veterinary and medical importance: C. felis (cat flea) and C. canis (dog flea). These fleas are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites infesting domestic dogs and cats, with C. felis recognized as the most prevalent and economically significant external parasite of companion animals globally. Members of this genus also parasitize diverse wild hosts including foxes, civets, jackals, hares, hyraxes, ground squirrels, and hedgehogs.
flea ectoparasite vector companion-animal-pest hematophagy Siphonaptera Pulicidae cat-flea dog-flea geometric-morphometrics insecticide-resistance zoonosis
Cyladini
Cyladini is a tribe of weevils in the family Brentidae, subfamily Apioninae. The tribe includes economically significant pests of sweet potato, particularly the sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius), which causes substantial damage to storage roots in tropical and subtropical production regions. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with Convolvulaceae host plants and their status as specialized root-feeding pests.
pest agriculture sweet-potato Convolvulaceae integrated-pest-management Cylas-formicarius tropical-agriculture subtropical-agriculture root-feeding-weevil storage-root-damage economic-pest biological-control crop-protection southeastern-United-States global-food-security low-input-farming drought-tolerant-crop nematode-interactions Beauveria-bassiana entomopathogenic-nematodes resistant-varieties crop-rotation cover-crops IPM Brentidae Apioninae Coleoptera Insecta Hexapoda Arthropoda Animalia Claire-Schloemer Auburn-University University-of-Wisconsin-Madison Journal-of-Integrated-Pest-Management Scott-Graham Kathy-Lawrence Covington Bonita Beauregard Orleans guava-root-knot-nematode root-knot-nematode wireworm cucumber-beetle flea-beetle Purpureocillium-lilacinum biopesticide green-bridge-effect mustard glucosinolate peanut bahiagrass sandy-soil drought-adaptation biofuel animal-feed nutritional-value food-security sustainable-agriculture environmental-impact microbial-control fungal-pathogen entomopathogenic-fungus biological-nematicide nematode-egg-parasitism pest-management agricultural-entomology crop-loss yield-reduction root-quality marketability integrated-management cultural-control selective-chemical-use productivity natural-processes versatility global-cultivation tropical-regions subtropical-regions southeastern-U.S.domestic-production revenue acreage harvest farming grower breeding research cultivar-development evolving-threats pest-pressure soil-health field-preparation winter-habitat insect-habitat parasitism infestation damage loss challenge defense arsenal battle war resilience adaptation innovation strategy sustainability livelihood nourishment food-production agricultural-research entomology plant-protection crop-science horticulture root-crop tuber storage-organ feeding-injury galling cracked-roots stunted-growth water-uptake nutrient-uptake pathogen-interaction exacerbated-damage variety-selection hardy-variety robust-performance high-yield nematode-resistance pest-resistance vulnerability spreading-pest population-reduction soil-improvement spring-planting toxic-compound natural-property microbial-product formulation application evaluation maximization potential urgency growing-threat comprehensive-strategy balance enablement essential-crop security defiance difficult-conditions menacing-pests formidable-threats production-continuation face-to-face threat disease resilient-crop growing-conditions menace story surface beneath relentless adversary favor condition powerful foe tiny parasite attack formation diminish ability result unattractive worse matter interaction significant devastating ruin inflict further compromise grapple thankfully farmer begin select hardy withstand traditional gain traction vulnerable highlight need continue breed effort develop capable oppose evolve after sturdy cultural management rotation cover cropping line take year off grow rotate non-host prove effective reduce population breathe life improve health suppress prepare example contain compound call break down release substance wary provide represent method harness help win spore fungus infect kill type tap different microscopic animal parasitize plus use combat attention egg aid fight minimize impact despite advance question remain require maximize particularly urgent pose key enhance approach integrate practice control selective chemical enable natural process nutritional value essential crop global food region support million address pressure innovative sustainable ensure live many formidable production although come face resilient able defy difficult read more journal integrated Claire Schloemer Ph.D.student conduct earn master degree email share link friend open new window print Facebook LinkedIn Bluesky Mastodon X Reddit Threads related discover from today subscribe get latest post send your Cylas formicarius sweet potato sweetpotato weevil photo courtesy show here cucumber beetle root-knot nematode harm U.S.guide detail variety option beloved delicious taste benefit bright color rank seventh most important world tropical subtropical area around serve feed source good pick low-input style well adapted sandy soil drought United States 2022 over 130,000 acre generate nearly 600 southeastern lead domestic Auburn University weather article publish March colleague Scott Graham Kathy Lawrence various among plant-parasitic specifically root system cause gall plant water nutrient stunted growth yield crack make interact pathogen exacerbate insect know storage 7 annual southern flea quality leave economic own resistance better meanwhile newer high robust performance however resist guava species spread next season winter field spring toxic green bridge effect habitat feeder symptom infection biological property microbe Beauveria bassiana agent formulate environmentally friendly product easy apply similarly beneficial entomopathogenic nematicide Purpureocillium lilacinum solution environmental resistant nematode-resistant cultivar comprehensive cultivation Wisconsin-Madison cschloemer wisc edu
Echidnophaga
Stick-tight Fleas
Echidnophaga is a genus of fleas in the family Pulicidae, commonly known as stick-tight fleas. Species in this genus are found across Africa, Asia, southern Europe, and Australia. Adults attach firmly to host skin and remain in a single location for extended periods, feeding on blood and causing localized tissue damage. The genus includes notable pests of poultry, rabbits, and other birds and mammals.
flea ectoparasite poultry-pest stick-tight blood-feeder Pulicidae veterinary-entomology
Echidnophaga gallinacea
hen flea, sticktight flea, stickfast flea
Echidnophaga gallinacea is a small, dark brown flea that parasitizes a broad range of bird and mammal hosts including poultry, dogs, cats, and occasionally humans. Adult females embed permanently into host skin—typically on bare areas of the head and face—using a serrated mouthpart to feed on blood, while males remain mobile. Heavy infestations cause ulceration, dermatitis, anemia, and can be fatal to young or small hosts. The species has spread globally through poultry farming and is now established across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions.
flea ectoparasite poultry-pest vector invasive cosmopolitan integrated-pest-management cage-free-poultry backyard-chickens hematophagy permanent-attachment sessile-female resilin jumping ctenidia-absent anaemia dermatitis ulceration Rickettsia Bartonella plague diatomaceous-earth maldison pesticide-resistance organic-farming animal-welfare economic-entomology veterinary-entomology host-generalist urban-wildlife-interface synanthropic
Hectopsylla
A genus of stick-tight fleas in the family Tungidae, comprising thirteen species that parasitize non-volant mammals, birds, and bats. The genus was established by Von Frauenfeld in 1860, with H. psittaci as the type species. Several species were described by Karl Jordan between 1906 and 1942. The genus exhibits specialized host attachment behaviors, with females of some species becoming permanently embedded in host skin.
flea ectoparasite Tungidae Siphonaptera stick-tight-flea bat-parasite bird-parasite mammal-parasite neotropical permanent-attachment autotomy sessile-female
Hectopsylla pulex
chigger flea, stick-tight flea
Hectopsylla pulex is a stick-tight flea and the only member of its genus known to parasitize bats. Females attach permanently to the head region of bats, particularly the ears and tragus, where they feed to repletion, become gravid, and die in situ. This species exhibits a unique reproductive strategy involving autosevering of legs upon host attachment and abdominal expansion through mechanical design rather than true neosomy. Males have never been found attached to hosts and are collected exclusively from bat guano, suggesting pre-host copulation occurs. The species is widely distributed across the Neotropics with records from Brazil, Panama, Colombia, Texas, and Arizona.
Siphonaptera flea bat-parasite ectoparasite neotropical permanent-attachment autosevering chigger-flea stick-tight-flea Rhopalopsyllidae
Hectopsyllidae
Hectopsyllidae is a small family of fleas containing two genera: Tunga and Hectopsylla. These fleas are obligate ectoparasites of terrestrial mammals, with some species also parasitizing birds and bats. A distinctive feature of the family is neosomy in females, where they undergo extreme swelling and produce new cuticle while remaining permanently attached to the host. The family was formerly known as Tungidae and is closely related to the common fleas (Pulicidae).
ectoparasite flea neosomy Siphonaptera Pulicoidea
Leptopsyllidae
Leptopsyllidae is a family of fleas in the order Siphonaptera, containing at least 30 genera and 250 described species. The family includes ectoparasitic species associated with various mammalian hosts, with some genera showing strong host preferences. Members of this family are distributed across multiple geographic regions, with specific species documented from North America, Europe, and Asia.
flea ectoparasite Siphonaptera mammal-parasite Ceratophylloidea
Orchopeas howardi
Grey Squirrel Flea, squirrel flea
Orchopeas howardi is a flea species in the family Ceratophyllidae, commonly known as the grey squirrel flea. It is primarily associated with squirrels (family Sciuridae) as its typical hosts. 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 accidental host association rather than typical host use.
flea Siphonaptera Ceratophyllidae ectoparasite squirrel-parasite accidental-host wood-duck North-America Europe
Pulex irritans
Human Flea, House Flea
Pulex irritans is a cosmopolitan flea species commonly known as the human flea. Despite its name, it has a broad host range including humans, dogs, cats, livestock, and various wild mammals. The species is thought to have originated in South America, possibly associated with guinea pigs or peccaries as original hosts. It is one of only six species in the genus Pulex, with the other five restricted to Nearctic and Neotropical regions. P. irritans has been found in human archaeological sediments dating back thousands of years in Europe and Greenland, demonstrating its long association with human populations. The species is medically significant as a potential vector of plague (Yersinia pestis), murine typhus, trench fever (Bartonella quintana), flea-borne spotted fever (Rickettsia felis), and the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum.
flea vector plague cosmopolitan hematophagy zoonosis cryptic-species climate-change archaeological-record One-Health