How Are Fleas Formed?
WouterThe first step in the life cycle of fleas is the development of the flea egg. The egg is white and round, about 0.5 mm long. After hatching, it will develop into a flea larva. The larvae feed on the feces of the host animal. In the first few days after hatching, the flea larvae will remain hidden. This will allow them to grow to approximately one-eighth-inch length. They will then emerge from the cocoon when conditions change.
Fleas develop a jumping mechanism that incorporates aspects of their flight mechanism. The wings attach to a hinge on the thorax and are held in place by a rubbery protein called resilin. This protein absorbs compression during wing strokes, which transfer stored energy through an elastic recoil effect. In the adult flea, the thorax still retains a resilin hinge, and the legs attach to it.
Fleas prefer animal hosts, but when these are not available, they will bite humans. The adult flea detects body heat and movement, as well as vibrations caused by breathing. It also transmits germs through feeding and fecal contamination. Flea feces can cause infections on human skin and open wounds.
Besides being a nuisance for humans, fleas are important vectors for diseases such as murine typhus. They also play a role in the transmission of other diseases and parasites. Furthermore, they can also trigger allergic reactions.
