Cat Flea
Ctenocephalides felis
This record describes Ctenocephalides felis (species). Recorded family: Pulicidae. Recorded order: Siphonaptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forehead low and sloping; genal comb with 7-8 sharp teeth, the first tooth about equal in length to the second. Cat fleas are commonly found on both cats and dogs in North America, while dog fleas are found in Europe. The two species are distinguished by a slight morphological difference which is detectable only under high magnification. (Zentko and Richman 2011) The most common domestic flea is the cat flea (Zentko and Richman 2011) Implicated in the transmission of murine typhus in south Texas, California and Hawaii. A mean of 48 cases of murine typhus were reported annually from 1990 through 2006 in southern Texas. (Adjemian et al. 2010)
Wikipedia reference for Ctenocephalides felis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_flea.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Siphonaptera (Fleas)
- Family
- Pulicidae
- Genus
- Ctenocephalides (Cat and Dog Fleas)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Common on cats and dogs; also occurs on coyotes, foxes, rabbits, rats, humans
Geographic Range
Cosmopolitan, most commonly found in North America, unlike the dog flea which is European.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults feed on blood of the host. Larvae feed on any kind of organic debris found on the floor.
Life History
The adult cat flea, unlike many other fleas, remains on the host. Adults require a fresh blood meal in order to reproduce. (Zentko and Richman 2011)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: felis - Latin for a cat, the principal host of this species.
About Fleas: the wider group
Order-level background for Siphonaptera, the group containing Ctenocephalides felis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Siphonaptera (fleas) includes ~2,500 described species. Fleas can jump up to 150 times their own body length - equivalent to a human jumping over a 75-story building. This makes them the best jumpers relative to body size of any animal.
Ecological role of the group
Fleas have been parasitizing mammals for at least 165 million years based on fossil evidence. They can transmit diseases including plague, murine typhus, and tapeworms. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The U.S. pet flea treatment market is worth over $4.4 billion annually. Historically, rat fleas transmitted the bubonic plague (Black Death), which killed an estimated 75-200 million people in the 14th century - roughly 30-60% of Europe's population.
Recorded sources for this group: CDC, WHO, pet industry market research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cat Flea (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Flea
What is Cat Flea?
Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is a species in the family Pulicidae, within the order Siphonaptera.
How big is Cat Flea?
body length 1.5-2.5 mm
How do you identify Cat Flea?
Forehead low and sloping; genal comb with 7-8 sharp teeth, the first tooth about equal in length to the second. Cat fleas are commonly found on both cats and dogs in North America, while dog fleas are found in Europe. The two species are distinguished by a slight morphological difference which is detectable only under high magnification. (Zentko and Richman 2011)
Where is Cat Flea found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Common on cats and dogs; also occurs on coyotes, foxes, rabbits, rats, humans |
| Range | Cosmopolitan, most commonly found in North America, unlike the dog flea which is European. |
What does Cat Flea eat?
The diet of the Cat Flea includes Adults feed on blood of the host. Larvae feed on any kind of organic debris found on the floor..
What is the life cycle of a Cat Flea?
The adult cat flea, unlike many other fleas, remains on the host. Adults require a fresh blood meal in order to reproduce. (Zentko and Richman 2011)