Fleas Biology  


Zoological Institute
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Fleas are obligatory blood feeders parasitizing warm-blooded invertebrates. More than 94% of known species are parasites of the mammals and only about 5% of them occur on birds.

The fleas have 4 phases of development - the egg, the free-living larva, the exarate pupa and the imago.

The larvae is wormlike, legless and eyeless with biting mouth parts. The larvae undergoes 3 instars. Prior to pupation it empties the alimentary canal, and spin a silken cocoon.

The majority of fleas are closely associated with the host's home (nest, burrow etc), attacking the host for feeding.