Ctenocephalides felis

SPECIES: Ctenocephalides felis ( order Siphonaptera)

COMMON NAME: Cat flea

SIZE: averages from 1.5 to 3.3 mm. The cat flea is the largest and can reach up to 4 mm

LIFECYCLE: Egg - Larva - Pupa - Adult. Cycle time: from 12-14 days, up to 120 days; Generations/year: varies according to environmental conditions; Eggs/female: up to 2000 throughout their lifetime; laid 40-50 at a time.

FEATURES: the most widespread, parasite specific to cats, but can also be found on dogs, and can even attack humans. Blood-sucking insect, dark brown in colour. Fleas in general have long legs. The two hind legs are well adapted for jumping: vertically up to 18 cm; horizontally 33 cm about 200 times the length of their body, making the flea the best jumper of all animals. The body of the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is not only flattened, but hard, glossy, and covered with short spiny hairs inclined in the direction contrary to the surface of the host, in order to get a better grip.

HABITAT: The presence and maintenance of flea infestations in urban environments is also guaranteed by the immature adult's ability to remain viable in pupate form waiting for a host as long as 140 days. Outdoor areas, or areas otherwise exposed to sunlight, offer little opportunity for growth for all stages. The ideal conditions for their survival are a temperature between 18° and 30°C, and a relative humidity of around 70-80%.

DIET: The mouthparts of fleas is like a tube, adapted to feed on the blood of other animals. When attacking a human, these fleas usually bite ankles and, preferably, the insides of knees, but they prefer the blood of domestic animals to your own. The larva feed on organic debris and dirt.

DAMAGE: It can be a vector for many different parasites and infections, such as Rickettsia felis, viruses, etc. Fleas in humans predominantly affect the lower parts of the limbs; bites are accompanied by severe itching. The rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) acts as a vector for bubonic plague.

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