human flea

2. Human Flea

3. Introduction
Scientific Name: Pulex irritans
Family: Pulicidae
Order: Siphonaptera
Status: Minor pest
Distribution: Rarely present in the houses.

4. Description of Stages
Eggs: White, relatively large, ovoid and 1/50 inch long
Larva: Slender, whitish about 1/6 to 1/4 inch long,
with small pale brown head and without legs and eyes.
Body is plainly segmented and covered with very long
hairs. Chewing mouthparts
Pupa: Small, oval and white silken cocoon
Adult: Hard skinned, very spiny, extraordinary thin
from side to side, with piercing sucking mouthparts,
concealed antennae, no wings and very large legs for
jumping

6. Damage
 Fleas bite is not felt immediately but it increases
irritation and sore for several days or week
 Fleas spread plague from rat to man
 It is an important vector of it
 They transmit infection by regurgitating bacilli in
stomach contents through proboscis during feeding
 Fleas are the principle vectors of Maurine or
endemic typhus from rats to man

8. Control
 Destruction of rats and other rodents.
 The cats may be encouraged.
 Wire cages may be employed.
 Use of zinc phosphide pellets.