Fleas/Ticks

Cat Flea     Dog Flea      Brown Dog Tick     Deer Tick

Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides felis)

Biology

• Larvae are approximately 1/4 inch long and adults are approximately 1/8 inch long.


• Antennae are short and have 3 segments.


• Long legs used for jumping


• Wingless


• Laterally flattened body, backward pointing spines and bristles assist in flea travel through hair.

Dog Flea (Ctenocephalides canis)

Biology

• Length: 1/8 inch


• Wingless


• Reddish brown in color


• Adults appear flattened from side to side (like most adult fleas).


• The body parts are segmented and covered with numerous spines and bristles pointed backward. These spines aid in movement through animal hair.


• They have claws on the tips of their 6 legs to enable them to remain on a host even while the host is scratching.


• Antennae are short and have 3 segments.


• Needle-like mouth parts are inserted into a host for blood feeding.


• Natural rubber, resilin, pads their hind legs, enabling them to jump from 14-16 inches.


• Complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult)


• The identifying characteristic that separates the dog flea from the cat flea is the presence of two notches and spines on the hind tibia of the dog flea.

Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

Biology

• The brown dog tick is a hard tick.


• Only one nymphal stage is present.


• Mouth parts project forward and are visible from above.


• Respiratory openings (stigmata) are located near the 4th pair of legs.


• A scutum, shield-like plate, is present on the back of the body and covers the entire back of the male. The scutum only covers part of the back of the female.


• Basal segment of each leg usually has a spur.


• This tick will attempt to feed on humans, increasing the potential for disease transmission.

Distribution/Habits

• The brown dog tick can be found wherever dogs are present.


• Pest of dogs, but a nuisance in homes.


• Adults reside in ears and between toes; the larvae and nymphs are found in long hairs on the dog's back.


• After the brown dog tick engorges, it drops from the animal then it is picked up by another dog from an infested area.


• Engorged females will lay from a few hundred to more than 5,000 eggs in cracks and crevices, in carpet and behind base boards.


• After emerging from the egg, the brown dog tick larva is capable of surviving for up to 8 months without feeding.


• It will take 3-6 days for a tick to become engorged with blood. After engorging the tick drops off the animal and resumes hiding.


• Adults can live for long periods of time without feeding.