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Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), is the most common flea infesting dogs, cats, and opossums Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), is the most common flea infesting dogs, cats, and opossums

Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), is the most common flea infesting dogs, cats, and opossums - PDF document

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Uploaded On 2015-07-21

Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), is the most common flea infesting dogs, cats, and opossums - PPT Presentation

Understanding the biology and behavior of the cat flea isan important factor in controlling this pest Cat fleas are dark reddishbrown incolor the females are 2 25 mmlong and the males slightly ID: 89546

Understanding the biology and behavior

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Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), is the most common flea infesting dogs, cats, and opossums inLos Angeles County and is considered a significant public health pest. Besides being the intermediate host ofthe common tapeworm of dogs and cats, it will also readily feed on the blood of humans, producing irritationand allergic dermatitis. Most significantly it can transmit the causal agent of flea-borne typhus.During their life cycle, fleas undergo complete metamor-phosis with four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa,and adult. Under ideal conditions which can occurduring the summer months, this life cycle can be com-pleted in as little as 12 days.Adult female fleas begin laying eggs one or two daysafter taking their first blood meal and can produce anaverage of 25 eggs per day for up to three weeks. Eggsare laid on the host, but readily fall out of the fur and aredistributed in the environment. Relative humidity has asignificant effect upon the survival of flea eggs. In dryconditions with 50% or lower relative humidity, eggsbecome too dry and the developing larvae die. Whenconsidering the survival of eggs, the micro-habitat inwhich the eggs are deposited is of prime importance. the larvae are quite active, crawlingabout and feeding on organic debris and adult flea feces, anecessary component of their diet. Research on the cat fleaindicates that only larvae which feed on the fecal material ofadult fleas successfully complete their life cycle. Moisturelevels within the micro-habitat of the larvae are also criticalfor survival, with relative humidity levels below 50% produc-ing mortality.The larvae feed continuously, and after completing theirdevelopment migrate to undisturbed areas and spin theircocoons. The cocoon is composed of silk and when newlyformed is moist and sticky. It quickly becomes coated withparticles of debris from the surrounding area. This coveringserves to camouflage the cocoon as well as protect the pupadeveloping within it from chemicals and harsh conditions. from their cocoons in as little asthree days with peak emergence in eight to nine days.Shortly after emerging, adults actively seek a blood meal. Under environmental conditions encountered insouthern California during the summer months, most cat fleas die in two to five days if no host is found. Understanding the biology and behavior of the cat flea isan important factor in controlling this pest. Cat fleas are dark reddish-brown incolor. the females are 2 - 2.5 mmlong and the males slightly smaller. The life cycle of the flea beginswhen the female lays eggs whichhatch into larvae. Each larva even-tually spins a cocoon where it