Family Pulicidae

Classification · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Remarks · Internet References

Flea off of one of my cats - Ctenocephalides felis

Sticktight fleas on my leg - Echidnophaga gallinacea

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Siphonaptera (Fleas)

Family Pulicidae

Numbers

19 species in 11 genera in North America (nearctica.com)

Size

1 to 2.5 mm

Identification

one row of bristles on each abdominal segment

Range

cosmopolitan

Remarks

Most of the species that attack humans and domestic animals are found in this family. Includes the Oriental Rat Flea (Xenopsylla cheopis), Dog Flea (Ctenocephalides canis), Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides felis), and Human Flea (Pulex irritans) - all of which may bite humans.

See the Siphonaptera page for general information and references on fleas.

Internet References

preserved adult images of Oriental Rat Flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) and Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides felis) plus classification and references (David Maddison, Tree of Life)

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 4 September, 2005 - 3:53am
Last updated 4 September, 2005 - 4:01pm

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