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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Fleas (Siphonaptera)
Photo#349309
Packrat Flea
Copyright © 2009 Rick Buss

Packrat Flea
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
February 18, 2009
Size: 0.75 mm
I occasionally find these in Packrat nests. (Beatriz was requesting fleas so here is one). I know nothing about flea ID so maybe someone else knows what it is.

Images of this individual: tag all
Packrat Flea Packrat Flea
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Contributed by Rick Buss on 5 November, 2009 - 1:43pm

Packrat nests
Rick, are you looking for beetles in the packrat nests? If so,what kind?
… Harry Zirlin, 5 November, 2009 - 2:24pm login or register to post comments

 
I see--
going through your images I see there are lots of specimens from packrat nests. Do you have to excavate the nests or are the nests aboveground in sheltered areas? I know there are semi-fossils that come from 10,000 year old and older packrat nests from caves...
… Harry Zirlin, 5 November, 2009 - 4:38pm login or register to post comments

 
above ground
These packrats produce above ground nests, sometimes at the base of a Cholla, but usually among boulders. They excavate a little, but then close off all entrances with thorns, chollas, and opuntia pads. I pull away the nasty stuff, and reach in to pull out the soft nest, and handfuls of the dirt/pellets etc. I put the stuff in Berlese funnel. The packrat immediately rebuilds its home (in disgust I'm sure). A few of the nests have been used for a very long time (maybe really really old) and the old stuff underneath is cemented together. I don't try to soften and investigate the ancient stuff.
… Rick Buss, 5 November, 2009 - 4:53pm login or register to post comments

 
Fascinating--the things we do to get beetles.
Thanks...
… Harry Zirlin, 5 November, 2009 - 4:56pm login or register to post comments

 
but of course
I really only do beetles! I try to find any beetles that I can, but I favor Latridiids, Dermestids, Cryptophagids etc. Mainly little creatures.
… Rick Buss, 5 November, 2009 - 2:35pm login or register to post comments

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